Useful Information

7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
We are open for 51 weeks of the year, closing for around one week over the Christmas period and Bank Holidays.

We recognise the importance of healthy eating in the early years of a child’s life. We take great pride in offering a balanced healthy menu. Fresh fruit and vegetables are served every day and fresh drinking water is available in all rooms. A copy of our weekly menu is displayed in reception.

We provide on a daily basis:

• Morning and afternoon snacks
• A cooked Lunch
• Afternoon Tea

We cater for all dietary requirements. You will be asked about dietary requirements or allergies when you register your child so that we can cater for any needs. We offer a vegetarian, Halal, or nut-free versions of all meals.

On your child’s first visit to the nursery you will need to bring a bag containing 2 changes of clothes, nappies and wipes (if required), any creams your child may need (e.g. Sudocrem). Any other requirements your child may have you will need to bring with you for example: inhalers, formula milk ready made up in bottles, dummies etc

Nappies Wipes & Formula milk are not provided by us and need to be supplied by parents.

At Yellow Penguin security is a very important issue to us. We will expect you to collect your child unless you inform us of other arrangements in advance. The nursery gate has an intercom facility and a CCTV system in order to maintain high levels of security.

Our nursery is newly-renovated and has been designed to the highest safety standards and all of the equipment we use has EU/British standards approval. The premises have been inspected by Ofsted, as well as annual inspections by our Health and Safety and Fire Consultants.

We maintain high staff to children ratios to ensure close supervision at all times. All of our fully qualified staff are trained paediatric first aiders and update their skills regularly.

The nursery complies with all of the required Health & Safety legislation and requirements of the Children Act 1989.

Parents are invited to attend meetings and policy review sessions throughout the year and we aim to organise a variety of parent workshops throughout the year around key areas like EYFS, behaviour management and healthy eating.

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of “funded” early education each week, for 38 weeks a year. You will not be charged a fee for these “funded” hours as we are registered with Birmingham City Council to claim this funding. We will automatically claim for your child when they become eligible (the term commencing after the 3rd birthday).

Parents are required to sign a declaration each term to clarify they are not claiming elsewhere. Parents are also responsible for advising us of any change to circumstances or child’s details. Fees continue to be paid on a standing order basis but you will see the deduction of NEF being made, therefore reducing your payments.

These free places are dependent on availability, and can currently be taken between 9am and 12pm or 1pm and 4pm Monday to Friday. Any sessions outside of these hours or outside the 38 weeks of term time are charged at our normal rates.

Some 2 year olds may also be entitled to 15 hours free early education per week and we offer places to families who may need this. However, places are limited. You can get more information about this from your local Children’s Centre or Local Authority website, or give us a call to discuss whether you are eligible.

We also offer 30 hours of funded early education to eligible 3 and 4 year-old children. In order to claim this you need to apply for a code. Please see www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare to check eligibility or contact us for more information.

We will endeavour to ensure that all children and their families are welcome at the nursery provided their individual needs can be met. No discrimination will be made on the grounds of ability, sex, colour, religion, race or creed.

Tax credits are available from the HM Revenue and Customs, based on household circumstances.

These are for parents/carers who are responsible for at least one child or qualifying young person. Child Tax Credit is paid direct to the person who is mainly responsible for caring for the child or children. If you are a lone parent/carer you will receive the payment.

This is for parents/carers who are employed or self-employed (either on their own or in a partnership), who:

• usually work 16 hours or more a week
• are paid for that work, and
• expect to work for at least 4 weeks

As part of Working Tax Credit you may qualify for help towards the costs of childcare. If you receive the childcare element of Working Tax Credit, this will always be paid directly to the person who is mainly responsible for caring for the child or children, alongside payments of Child Tax Credit.

Check online at www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits for further information and eligibility.

We accept certain types of child care vouchers from employers who offer this benefit to their eligible employees as a paper or e-voucher.

Vouchers are non-taxable and exempt from NI contributions for employees, whilst offering NI savings for employers. Both parents are eligible to claim as long as they are both in employment. Further information can be found at www.childcarevouchers.co.uk