Frequently Asked Questions:
Are you open all year round?
Yes, both Buffery and Tipton Little Rainbows settings are open all year round, helping to provide families with consistent and reliable childcare throughout the year.
What are your opening hours?
Our Buffery setting is open from 7:00am until 6:00pm.
Our Tipton setting is open from 7:30am until 6:00pm.
What ages of children do you care for?
We provide childcare for babies from 6 weeks old and young children up untill school age, with rooms and activities carefully planned to suit each child’s age, development and individual needs. We also offer Half term care for children up untill the age of 8 years old.
Do you offer funded childcare places?
Yes, we offer government-funded childcare places for eligible families. Our team can talk you through the funding available and help you understand what you may be entitled to.
Can I come and look around before registering my child?
Of course! We encourage families to visit our settings, meet the team and have a look around before making a decision. Please contact us to arrange a show around.
How do you help children settle in?
Every child is different, so we take a flexible and individual approach to settling in. We work closely with parents and carers to understand your child’s routines, interests and needs, helping them to feel safe, secure and comfortable with us. We offer 2 settling in sessions that are 9 am -11 am for children to attend before they fully start nursery. Parents will be asked to come in for the first hour to fill in paperwork and help their child with the transition period. After this parents will come back for their child at 11 and then on the second session they will be asked to do a door drop off, so that there children can begin to understand their new routine.
What will my child do during the day?
Children enjoy a wide range of play-based learning experiences, including creative activities, sensory play, stories, songs, outdoor play, physical activities, imaginative play and opportunities to explore and investigate.
Will I receive updates about my child?
Yes. We believe communication with families is extremely important. Our practitioners will keep you informed about your child’s day, development, achievements and any important information. This will be through Tapestry our App that parents/carers can access and receive updates about their child's day on. We also communicate through our Little Rainbows WhatsApp.
Do you provide meals and snacks?
We provide children with healthy meals and snacks during their time with us. We also work with families to accommodate individual dietary requirements, allergies and preferences wherever possible.
Do the children have access to outdoor play?
Yes. Outdoor play is an important part at both of our provisions. Children are given regular opportunities to enjoy fresh air, develop their physical skills, explore nature and learn through outdoor experiences.
How do you support children with additional needs?
We aim to provide an inclusive environment where every child is supported to thrive. We work closely with parents, carers and other professionals where required to make sure each child receives appropriate support based on their individual needs.
How do I register my child?
Simply contact our team and we can talk you through availability, arrange a visit and explain the registration process. We will be happy to answer any questions you have along the way.
Are you closed on Bank Holidays and at Christmas?
Yes. Both of our settings are closed on all Bank Holidays and over the Christmas period. We will always provide families with plenty of notice of our Christmas closure dates each year.
Do we still pay if my child is off sick?
Yes. Fees are still payable if your child is absent due to illness, as their childcare place and staffing arrangements remain reserved for them. Unfortunately, sickness and other absences are outside of our control, so we are unable to offer refunds or reductions for days that your child does not attend.
Do we still have to pay if we book a day off or take our child on holiday?
If you are planning a holiday or your child will be absent for a pre-booked day, we ask that you provide us with at least two weeks’ notice. Where the required notice is given, you will only be charged 50% of your usual fees for the booked absence.
If less than two weeks’ notice is provided, normal fees will apply.
Will I have to pay a deposit or retainer for my childcare place?
When your child starts with us, we ask for one week’s childcare fees upfront as a deposit. This deposit is refundable when your child leaves the setting. Once your child has started, childcare fees are charged one month in advance. If you would like us to reserve a childcare place for a period of time before your child is due to start, a retainer fee will be required. The amount of the retainer will depend on how long you would like us to hold the place for. Retainer fees are non-refundable, as the childcare space is being reserved specifically for your child and cannot be offered to another family during this period.