Unlike many other pre-schools and school nurseries, we are always very flexible regarding which sessions your child attends (and funded hours can be used in any amount on any day), and accept bookings from just 1 session per week. We happily welcome children from 2 years old, and we are fully equipped for changing nappies and sleeping.  Children can start at any time i.e. mid-term. Any number of funded hours accepted (subject to eligibility) plus the various employer voucher schemes (if you already signed up to one before 4 Oct 2018) and also the tax-free childcare account. For up-to-date information and applications for all childcare financial support (applicable to many children over 9 months old from September 2024) please go to https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

If you are interested in a place for your child, please download and read our Welcome booklet Jan 2024  and then complete our Expression of Interest Form at https://forms.office.com/e/fqBJEcCn2s. (If you have any queries, please contact our voluntary administrator at willastonpreschool@gmail.com). Children on our waiting list are given priority when a space becomes available. Please note that our pre-school is near Crewe and not on The Wirral.

All children over 3 years old (and some 2 year olds – see below) continue to be eligible for at least 15 weekly funded hours, no matter what their family’s circumstances.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday of term-time, 7.30am to 5.30pm (individual drop-off and pick-up times will be arranged convenient to you)

3 hour sessions from 8.30am to 11.30am, and then 12.15pm to 3.15pm with additional care hours as required provided by the same familiar faces. Early/late drop-offs and early/late pick-ups available to suit you.

Lunch club is from 11.30am to 12.15pm with the option of a hot lunch available.

Children must not be left early and should be collected on time.

Term dates

Free funding

Up to 30 hours per week of funded sessions are available for 3 and 4 year olds (which kicks in from the earliest of the 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following their 3rd birthday). All 3 and 4 year olds qualify for at least 15 hours. Please see our 30 hours letter here  for more details.

15 funded hours per week are also available for younger children with working parents. Certain 2 year olds also continue qualify based on other circumstances (see here).

Tax-Free Childcare

Despite its name, this is basically a 20% contribution towards your childcare costs by the government (reducing our hourly fee to £4.72). You set up an online childcare account for your child and for every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay in £2 to use to pay us. See https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare for further information.

Fees

As a registered charity, we set our fees to cover our costs only.

The following rates will apply from September 2024:

• £17.70 per session (£5.90 per hour or £4.72 with tax-free childcare)
• 2 course hot lunch – £3 (click on Sept 2024 menu)

There is also a small fee of 45p per session to cover the costs of snacks and other consumables used by the children (does not apply to disadvantaged 2 year olds).

Invoices are emailed out to parents/carers during the first week of each half-term, and must be paid by the due date. Instalment options available depending on circumstances.

Stikin labels

We recommend all of your child’s belongings are labelled (as otherwise it is difficult to match belongings to your child), and this product is excellent, plus they give the pre-school 30% commission (if you enter code 35315 into the order form). Please go to the following link to make an order – https://www.stikins.co.uk .

Withdrawing your child from pre-school

A month’s notice is usually required to withdraw your child from pre-school. If claiming funding, a term’s notice is required.

School nurseries

Many primary schools also offer nursery education for children aged 3-4 years, and may suggest you move your child there before you make your reception class application. But is this right for your child? How do we compare?:

Learning – our pre-school sessions are based on the individual interests and needs of each child. Our staff continuously observe each child and then offer educational activities that help them progress and succeed, while meeting the whole of the EYFS requirements. 

Staff ratios – Our maximum ratio is one adult to every six children (and usually four children), giving your child a safer, more personalised and nurturing experience. Many school nurseries also have to share facilities with the rest of the school, including play areas and having lunch in the hall with much bigger children, an experience which can be completely overwhelming for younger children.

Flexibility – at our pre-school you can book as many or as few sessions as you would like for your child, and change your booking mid-term (subject to availability). We also offer flexible personalised drop-off and pick-up times to suit you, so that there is time to talk to our staff every day without being rushed.

Key person At our pre-school, your child will be paired with a qualified adult of their choosing – someone they naturally connect and feel comfortable with. This person will gain an in-depth knowledge of your child and their learning, and also become your contact at pre-school. Our administrator is also available for out of hours queries, including evenings, weekends and holidays, and will always get back to you.

Making friends – when starting reception class, it doesn’t take long for children to build strong relationships as children are naturally friendly and curious. In most cases, a group of children will move on together from pre-school to the same school, so there will already be familiar faces when they start in reception. 

School reception class place – the school doesn’t make the decision about who is accepted into the reception year (as this decision is made by Cheshire East). There have been recent cases where a parent has moved their child to a school nursery only to discover that they don’t then get a reception place at that school. Just because a child attends a school nursery doesn’t guarantee them a place at that school.

In summary, make your decision based on what YOU think is best for YOUR CHILD.