Welcome Pack

1. About Us2. About Our Centre3. Baby Days4. Settling In Sessions5. Day Rates6. Meals7. Outings8. Uniform - Optional9. Holidays10.Sickness11.Payment12.What You Will Need to Provide13.What We Will Provide14.Policies and Procedures15.Example Weekly Planner16.Example Weekly Menu

This information is to give you an idea of how Little Latham Farmers work and what we can offer for you and your child. If there is anything which is not included then please do ask and we will be happy to go through this with you.

The policies and procedures are put into place so we both have an understanding of how the centre is run and what is expected of each other, we will go through these before your child begins.

About UsLittle Latham Farmers is located in Gomersal; close to surrounding areas such as Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton and Birstall and only a few minute drives from chain bar roundabout.

Little Latham Farmers has been set up by me “Libby” who is qualified in Childcare Level 3 also an OFSTED Registered Childminder. All Staff members at Little Latham Farmers hold a DBS security check and are also First Aid trained. I will ensure I always pick staff that I would let look after my children, always ensuring the best childcare for your child/children is available as these are the foundations for a professional and excellent centre.

About Our CentreLittle Latham Farmers is situated on our farm at Latham Farm, entry is gained threw a set of electric gates and a small drive down to the farm where there is parking. The log cabin is situated in the paddock field. Our future plans for 2018 are that we will be following Forest School Ethos.

Mud kitchen Vegetable Patch – growing organic produce – currently in progress Animals we have horses and chickens, the children collect the eggs each day Natural Resources

At Little Latham Farmers we plan a lot of variation into our daily activities including lots of outdoor time, learning and exploring our surroundings.

We work within the education system known as the Early Years Foundation Stage, which all childcare providers must follow the framework if they care for children from birth to 5 years. This covers the development of your child in 7 key areas of learning.

Person, social and emotional development Communication and language Physical development Mathematic Literacy Understanding the world Expressive art and design

Baby’s DaysWe started using this system at the beginning of 2016, and it’s fantastic to keep you updated on your child/children throughout the day. Baby’s Days is an online system which tracks your child’s development and on here are the daily diaries which show how your child is getting on throughout the day while they are here at the centre. Daily diaries will be posted and pictures of what your child’s been doing, what they’ve eaten, how they’re feeling and any other things we feel you’d like to be made aware of. If you have an iPhone you can simply download the app when your child begins and you will be given a username and password. You will receive notifications throughout the day when we upload pictures of your child.

Settling in sessionsBefore your child starts at Little Latham Farmers we offer a 2 hour settle in session. At this session we ask that parents stay for the first hour and sign the necessary policies and procedures. We then ask you to complete your child’s starting points which will help us assess where your child lies within the EYFS.

Day RatesLittle Latham Farmers will be open from 8am-6pm, on request earlier opening can be arranged but this will need to be discussed.

The set rate for a full day is £45; this gives you the option to use the time from 8am till 6pm.

There is a 2 set day minimum contract required; this set rate includes all children’s meals throughout the day, snacks, nappies and outings.

Once you have signed your contract it does state that you will need to give us 4 weeks’ notice in writing if you wish to up your days. If you wish to reduce your days we require 8 weeks notice in writing.

We offer 15 and 30 hour funding for 2, 3 and 4 year olds, to see if you are eligible just visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. Here you will find all the information you need to see if you are eligible for the various childcare care schemes. There is a £4 additional charge per day for those who receive funding.

Before and after school care is available, children may arrive at 8am and will have breakfast and will be dropped off at school and will be collected at school finish time, they will be given tea and may stay until 6pm. Minimum of 2 session contract for before and after school per week.

We also accept childcare vouchers, for those who can apply for them.

Outings We do aim to get the children out to local places, there are no charge for these unless it’s a higher entrance fee over £5 therefore we may ask for a contribution, but will seek parental permission beforehand. We visit local play gyms, farms and also attend tots groups.

Uniform

There is an opportunity for your children to wear optional uniform, they are royal blue polo shirts and sweatshirts with the Little Latham Farmers logo on you can buy these via TESCO embroidery service. Here you can find hoodies, polo shirts, hats, and jumpers starting from £4.

MealsHere at Little Latham Farmer we offer your children good healthy, homemade meals to provide them with the correct nutrition and energy they need for their development. If your child has an allergy requirements please let us know so we can offer an alternative. We adhere to a rotating 4 week menu, a cold lunch and hot dinner will be served, sample menus will be available once your child starts but here is an example:

Breakfast – Cereal/Toast

Lunch- Sandwich/Wraps/Pitta – Variety of fillings

Tea – Meat/Fish – served with vegetables

Snacks will be provided throughout the day morning/afternoon – Fruit/ Breadsticks/ Vegetable sticks

Fresh Water will also be available at any time as well as milk at snack times.

HolidaysLittle Latham Farmers will be closed for around 2 weeks a year at Christmas, you will be notified 2 months in advance there is no charge for this time.

Bank Holidays – We are closed bank holidays and you will not be charged for this day if your child attends.

Children’s Holidays - Unfortunately the standard policies which nurseries work too are that holiday periods are seen as holding your child’s space. We have reduced our holiday payment to £40 per day for 4 weeks but any dates after this will be charged at the full rate. A minimum of 4 weeks’ notice is required to get the reduced holiday payments, this request can be emailed to Libby so records can be kept.

Before and after school Service – Unfortunately we do not offer a term time only contract and 50% fees will be due; if your child would like to attend during the holidays please ask so we can discuss fees.

Please let us know if you are visiting somewhere special or going on holiday as we have a teddy bear called Farmer Charley Barley, who is very keen to travel to different destinations.

PaymentDeposit – 4 weeks prior to your child’s start date one full month’s fee will be required as a non-refundable deposit, this will be used as your first months payment in advance.

You will be sent an invoice 7 days before payment is due, payments are made a month in advance on the 1st of each month.

There will be a charge of £30 per day for any late payments up to 5 days then after this period your child place will be suspended until payment is made.

If you would like your child to attend Little Latham Farmers, please get in touch as we do have a waiting list. Please contact me via phone/email 07774317620 or littlelathamfarmers@outlook.com

Meet The Team

We would like to introduce all our staff here at Little Latham Farmers.

Libby – the owner and manager at Little Latham Farmers. Libby has 3 little girls Harper, Haddie and Hattie. She is level 3 childcare qualified as well as a qualified Forest school teacher.

Jess W – Jess is the deputy manager at Little Latham Farmers. Jess joined us in October 2017 and has lots of plans to help make LLF even greater and has a little boy called Charlie and has lots of experience working in the childcare sector and is level 3 qualified in childcare.

Sophie – Sophie has been at Little Latham Farmers since we opened. She has a little girl called Georgia and is working towards her level 3 in childcare.

Emma – Emma has been at Little Latham Farmers since 2016 she is level 3 qualified in childcare. Emma also has a little boy called Charlie and has worked within childcare since leaving school.

Chloe – Chloe is currently working towards her level 3 in childcare and has been at Little Latham Farmers for over a year.

Vickie – Vickie has recently completed her Jess C – Jess is level 2 qualified in childcare

Vickie – Vickie has recently completed her Jess C – Jess is level 2 qualified in childcare