At St James Centre, we offer care for children aged 3 months to 4 years. The setting is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm for 38 weeks per year. Places are available to anyone who requires care for their children. Admissions are made at the start of each term as set out in the local authority’s funding timetable. A child’s funded place may only be moved to a different setting during the term under exceptional circumstances as set out by the local authority.

Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis dependent on availability of sessions required. We will seek to accommodate the needs of each family where possible. Where a place cannot immediately be found, then children will be placed on a waiting list.

Waiting List Criteria

Children will remain on the waiting list until a place becomes available. As a place becomes available, it will be offered to the family whose needs it most closely matches in terms of age of child and pattern of sessions available. Where there is more than one such match, offers will be made on the following priority basis: siblings of children already attending; children who have been or are eligible for 2-year funding; children who qualify for EYPP; children living nearest to the nursery.

Prioritising Places During the Pandemic

If there is a need to prioritise places, for example where we are unable to operate at full capacity, we will give priority to:

• vulnerable children and children of critical workers
• then 3- and 4-year-olds, in particular those who will be transitioning to reception
• followed by younger age groups

Funding

Where available, additional sessions may be paid for directly by parents, through voucher schemes and through tax free childcare. We encourage all parents to access the Childcare Choices website to find the best package of support for their circumstances. Full details of our pricing structure can be found on our website and on Annex one to the childcare contract.

Annex one shows which sessions have been booked, which are funded and which are chargeable. Fees are based on sessions booked and not attendance. Refunds and credits will not be given for days where your child does not attend due to sickness or holiday. We do not allow swapping of days unless it is permanent and there is availability.

We also provide care funded by Care to Learn, Jobcentre + and other agencies.

Derby College Students

All of our sessions are available to students who are studying onsite with Derby College. Session times are designed to reflect class times and are therefore subject to change. Where eligible, parents are expected to use funded early education entitlement to cover their crèche requirements. Derby College may provide funding for crèche places for younger children; we can support parents to apply for this funding.

Funded Early Education Entitlement

15 funded hours for two year olds are available for eligible families and for all three- and four-year olds. These may be taken as 15 standalone hours over 38 weeks, or with wraparound with additional hours chargeable. A further 15 funded hours (extended hours) are available for eligible three- and four-year olds.

Families may usually choose to use their extended hours with one or more providers, however during the pandemic we are not accepting children who are attending more than one setting.

There is no limit to the number of funded places available, other than that dictated by Ofsted room size and staffing requirements.

Late Fees

A charge is made if a child is collected after the end of their session time. This will be £10 for the first 15 minutes and £10 each subsequent 15 minutes. If lateness persists parents may be asked to change their session times or cancel their child’s place.

Complaints

If a parent has concerns in relation to the funding of the FEEE, they should take this up in the first instance with the Nursery Management Team. Where the Nursery Management Team is unable to resolve such concerns, the parents should contact Childcare and Families Information Team, 1st Floor, School Organisation and Provision, Children and Young People, Derby City Council, The Council House, Corporation Street, Derby, DE1 2FS, 01332 642603.