We offer a range of flexible childcare options for children aged 9 months to 5 years, including both government-funded places and paid sessions.
Admissions Policy
Policy Statement
At Mindful Me Nursery Group, we are committed to providing high-quality, inclusive early years education and care in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment. We welcome all children and families regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, family structure, or socioeconomic background, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
This policy outlines our admissions procedures, funding arrangements, fees, and the responsibilities of both the nursery and parents/carers.
Admissions
Places are offered subject to availability and are allocated fairly and consistently.
When allocating places, priority may be given to:
✔ Children already attending the nursery wishing to increase sessions.
✔ Siblings of children already attending.
✔ Children eligible for funded childcare.
✔ Children with additional needs where the nursery can meet those needs appropriately.
✔ Date of application.
Completion of a registration form does not guarantee a place until written confirmation has been issued by the nursery.
The nursery reserves the right to operate a waiting list when all places are full.
Settling In Sessions
We recognise that every child settles differently.
Each child will be offered settling-in sessions before their official start date. These sessions allow the child to become familiar with the environment, staff, and routine while enabling parents to discuss individual care needs.
The number and length of settling sessions will be agreed with the nursery manager.
Funded Childcare
Mindful Me Nursery Group offers Government funded childcare in accordance with current local authority guidance.
Parents must ensure they remain eligible for funding where applicable and provide all requested documentation before their child’s start date.
Funding cannot be backdated.
Parents are responsible for informing the nursery immediately of any changes to their eligibility.
We do not provide nappies and wipes parents may provide their own consumables such as (suncream/nappy cream etc)
Session Options
Stretched Funding (51 Weeks)
Funding is stretched across 51 weeks of the year.
Available Monday-Friday:
Morning Session
7:00am – 12:45pm
(5.65 funded hours)
Afternoon Session
12:00pm – 5:45pm
(5.65 funded hours)
Full Day
7:00am – 5:00pm
(10 funded hours)
Where available, an additional hour until 6:00pm may be offered free of charge. This is subject to availability and must be agreed with management.
Funding is delivered as either:
- 11.18 hours per week (equivalent to 15 hours stretched)
- 22.36 hours per week (equivalent to 30 hours stretched)
Term-Time Funding (38 Weeks)
Available Monday-Friday:
Morning Session
7:00am – 12:00pm
Afternoon Session
12:00pm – 5:00pm
Mid Session
9:00am – 3:00pm
Full Day
7:00am – 5:00pm
or
8:00am – 6:00pm
(10 funded hours)
Funding is delivered as:
15 hours per week
or
30 hours per week
Hour adjustments may be accommodated at the discretion of the Nursery Manager where staffing and availability allow.
Optional Funding Packages
Government funded hours remain free at the point of delivery.
Parents may choose to purchase optional meals and additional services packages.
These packages are entirely voluntary.
Parents choosing not to purchase these packages may provide their own meals where appropriate.
Full Day Funding Package
£10.00 per day
Includes:
- Dinner
- Tea
- Additional services, yoga, forest school and sports sessions, trips and outings, graduation and Consumables such as, face wipes, piriton, suncream, nappy cream, Calpol
Breakdown:
- £3 Dinner
- £3 Tea
- £4 Additional services, yoga, forest school and sports sessions, trips and outings, graduation and Consumables such as, face wipes, piriton, suncream, nappy cream, Calpol
Half Day Funding Package
£6.00 per session
Includes:
- One meal (Dinner or Tea)
- Additional services, yoga, forest school and sports sessions, trips and outings, graduation and Consumables such as, face wipes, piriton, suncream, nappy cream, Calpol
Breakdown:
- £3 Meal
- £3 Additional services, yoga, forest school and sports sessions, trips and outings, graduation and Consumables such as, face wipes, piriton, suncream, nappy cream, Calpol
Packed Lunches
Parents who choose not to purchase the nursery meal package may provide a healthy packed lunch where agreed.
Due to limited refrigeration and storage facilities, the nursery reserves the right to refuse packed lunches where storage cannot be safely accommodated.
This decision will be made by the Nursery Manager on a case-by-case basis following consideration of the child’s individual circumstances and available storage capacity.
All packed lunches must comply with the nursery’s Healthy Eating Policy.
Additional Sessions
Additional sessions may be booked subject to availability.
These sessions will be charged at the nursery’s current fee rate.
Payment must be made in advance unless otherwise agreed.
Registration Fee
Funded-only places will be exempt from deposits where no additional hours or services are being purchased. Any other options would be subject to an agreement from management.
Payment of Fees
Fees are payable monthly in advance.
Invoices must be paid by the stated due date.
Late payment charges may apply.
Failure to pay nursery fees may result in the suspension or withdrawal of childcare following reasonable notice.
Any outstanding fees remain payable following withdrawal.
Changes to Sessions
Requests to increase, reduce or amend sessions should be made in writing.
The nursery will endeavour to accommodate requests wherever possible but cannot guarantee availability.
Notice Period
Parents wishing to reduce sessions or leave the nursery must provide a minimum of four weeks’ written notice.
Fees remain payable during the notice period.
Inclusion
Mindful Me Nursery Group welcomes children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Admissions will never be refused on the grounds of disability where reasonable adjustments can be made in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and the SEND Code of Practice.
Where appropriate, meetings will be arranged with parents and outside agencies before admission to ensure suitable support is in place.
Confidentiality
All personal information collected during the admissions process will be processed in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Information will only be shared where legally required or where parental consent has been obtained.
Safeguarding
Mindful Me Nursery Group has a legal duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
All admissions are subject to the nursery’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
Where safeguarding concerns arise, staff will follow statutory procedures and guidance outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education where applicable.
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner where legislation, funding guidance, or operational requirements change.
Policy Owner:
Mindful Me Nursery Group
Review Frequency:
Annually
Approved by:
Megan Woods