What will my child need?
Children need clothes that are easy to manage
Playing can be a very messy business so please dress your child in ‘play clothes’, we provide aprons for children to wear, but accidents can – and do – happen. We encourage children to gain the skills that help them to be independent and look after themselves. These include taking themselves to the toilet and taking off and putting on outdoor clothes.
Belts, jeans and dungarees can be difficult to manage; look for clothes that are easier for your child to manage themselves, for example, jogging bottoms are much easier to pull on. Similarly laces can be very frustrating, so try to buy shoes with Velcro to make it easier for your child to become independent.
Children have a coat-peg and Wellington-boot space for their belongings. Please could you provide:
- A named splash-suit and a pair of wellies so that your child can play out in the garden.
- A named P.E. style bag containing a change of clothes in case of accidents – don’t forget socks!!
- A packet of wet wipes (also nappies and cream if needed).
- In the summer your child will need high factor sun cream and a sun hat.
Please name all your child’s belongings including hats, scarfs and gloves, as this helps children and staff identify clothing.
Where can I buy the uniform from?
We do not require children to wear a uniform however we do have school sweatshirts and t-shirts available to buy if you would like one. Many parents find these very hard wearing and easy to wash. They are also fairly cheap and therefore save a child from wearing and spoiling expensive clothes.
Sweatshirts and T shirts with the school logo are available from Coniston Corporate www.conistonshop.com/Kendal-Nursery-School_112/school/index.php . Payment is made when ordering and delivery will be to the school. The office will hand your order to you when it arrives.
Sweat-shirts with the Brantfield logo cost £9.99, T-shirts with our logo cost £4.99.
Splashsuits are recommended for exploring our amazing gardens in all weathers! These are available from C T Hayton on Sandylands Road in Kendal.
When will my child be eligible for funded hours?
Many 2 year olds are eligible for 15 or 30 hours funding. The website to check is www.childcarchoices.gov.uk or the telephone number is 03457 125 737. If you have had a funded 2 year old place confirmed you will be given a code which you need to give to us as soon as possible.
All children are eligible for at least 15 hours funding the term after they turn 3. You do not need to apply for the 15 hours for a 3 year old.
Some 3 year olds are eligible for 30 hours funding (working parents). You need to apply for this online. The website is www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. The cut off dates are August 31st, December 31st and March 31st for funding for the following term. Failure to apply before these dates will result in only being funded for 15 hours for the whole term. You will be given a code which again you need to share with us as soon as possible.
How do I pay my fees?
Invoices will be e-mailed at the beginning of each month to every family, however, if you prefer a paper copy, please let the office know. If your hours are fully funded there will be no charges on your invoice. Payments can be made by Tax Free Childcare account/vouchers or bank transfer. Bank Details are on your invoice. If you have any queries relating to invoicing, please let Karen know. Please contact Karen by telephone, 01539 730800 or by e-mail karenb@kendalnursery.cumbria.sch.uk.
What is HMRC Tax free Childcare?
If you are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare, you’ll need to set up an online childcare account for your child. For every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay in £2 to use to pay your provider. The website is www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
You will be given a reference number. Please ensure you give this reference, along with the date and amount of your first payment to Karen. These payments are made directly to Westmorland and Furness Council. Without this information, Westmorland and Furness Council will not know which school/County Department the payment is for.
You can get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as 30 hours free childcare if you’re eligible for both.
Do I still pay if my child is absent?
Please inform us if your child will not be attending for any reason. Due to staffing costs, we will charge at your normal rate if your child is absent due to illness, holiday, planned absence or if school is forced to close due to circumstances beyond our control. However, if your child is hospitalised we may be able to waiver the fees depending on the circumstances.
Can I amend sessions/times attending?
We will always try our best to accommodate amendments. However, any permanent decrease or cancellation of sessions will require 1 months’ notice.
If you require extra sessions please ask the office staff, if we have a place available we will be happy to accommodate your request. The extra sessions will be charged to your next invoice. Any cancellations, once booked, will incur an admin charge of £5.00.
We can’t accommodate swapping of sessions. We would be inundated with requests making the organisation of registers very difficult.
Fees for settling in sessions can be tailored to each child for the first two weeks. Please inform the office of the times you attend if different to your childcare agreement.
Can I book Holiday Club?
Yes! Holiday Club is available for children who already attend Kendal Nursery School.
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Opening hours: 9.00am – 4.00pm
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Availability: Most school holiday weeks (excluding INSET days, half-term breaks, and the Christmas holidays)
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Cost: Charged at the same hourly rate as childcare fees
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Minimum session: 9.00am – 3.00pm
Funding Options
If your child is entitled to 30 funded hours and usually attends 21 hours or fewer per week during term time, you may choose to stretch this funding across the year. This means your child can use the same number of hours during the holidays.
Please complete the stretched funding booking form if you wish to take up this option, so that we know which children will be attending.
(Please note: stretched funding is not available for 15-hour funded places.)
How to Book
Holiday Club places must be booked in advance. Please ask at the office for a Holiday Club booking form if you would like your child to attend.
How do I order School Dinners?
The office will set you up an account and provide you with a username and password – dinners cost £2.70 each. The menu is a three week rota and is changed each term. Hot dinners can be ordered via the School Hub website – www.schoolhub.co.uk/login where you are able to order up to 2 weeks in advance.
Orders are to be made before 9.30am otherwise a packed lunch will need to be provided.
