- What are the opening hours of Little Pippins?
- How much does it cost?
- At what age can my child attend Little Pippins?
- When does funding start and how do I claim it?
- Does my child have to be out of nappies?
- When my child starts Pre-school, do I have to provide anything?
- Can my child attend additional sessions?
- Is Little Pippins affiliated with a particular school?
- What is the breakfast club / after school club / walking bus?
- How can I register my child?
What are the opening hours of Little Pippins?
Please note, sessions start and finish promptly at the following times:
8:00am – 9:15am Breakfast Club
9:15am – 11:45am Morning Session
11:45am – 12:30pm Lunchtime Session
12:30pm – 3:00pm Afternoon Session
With effect from September 2020, our hours and session times will change to:
8:00am – 9:05am Breakfast Club
9:05am – 12.05pm Morning Session
12:05pm – 3:05pm Afternoon Session (including lunch club)
After School Club at Harwell School:
3:15pm- 6:00pm (Mon- Thur)
3:15pm – 5.00pm (Fri)
See Harwell After School Club for full details.
How much does it cost?
Fees with effect from September 2020 are yet to be confirmed but, due to the sessions increasing from 2.5 to 3 hour each, please note that the pre-school session fees are likely to rise in proportion to the increased length.
From 1st September 2019:
Pre-school Session Fees (child aged 3 years and over)
£11.70 morning or afternoon pre-school session
£3.50 Lunch Club, bring a packed lunch. Lunch Club is not included in funded hours and is generally only for children attending both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Pre-school Session Fees (child aged under 3years)
£14.00 morning or afternoon pre-school session
£4.20 Lunch Club, bring a packed lunch. Lunch Club is not included in any funded hours for 2 year olds and is generally only for children attending both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Other Pre-school Charges
£2.15 Walking bus from Harwell School to Little Pippins/ Little Pippins to After School Club
£20.00 Registration Deposit for Pre-school (refundable when your child leaves)
£10.00 Late Collection Fee
Breakfast Club
£5.80 per session for the first child
£4.80 per session for each subsequent sibling
Price includes breakfast and, for Harwell School children, the walking bus to the school.
At what age can my child attend Little Pippins?
We take children from age two and a half up to school age. Our main intake is in September but children may be able to start at other times of the year depending on availability. Children must attend a minimum of 2 sessions per week when they start.
When does funding start and how do I claim it?
Please note, we offer the universal 15 hours funding but not the additional extended 15 hours funding.
From the term (September, January or April) after your child reaches three years old, s/he is funded for up to 15 hours per week for a total of 38 weeks per year by the Early Education Funding Grant. We claim the funding for your child directly from Oxfordshire County Council. Each September, January and April we will ask you to complete declaration form stating the number of hours per week that your child will attend that term.
If your child is two and you receive certain benefits, they may also qualify for up to 15 hours a week free early education. To access this funding, you need to check eligibility on Oxfordshire County Council’s website and provide us with the reference number you are given so that we can confirm funding before your child starts at Pippins.
If your child is 3 or 4 years old and you think they might also be eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium, please let us know.
Does my child have to be out of nappies?
Ideally, it would be better for the staff and child but it doesn’t always happen . Your child’s key person will liaise with you to help with toilet training at the appropriate time for your child.
When my child starts Pre-school, do I have to provide anything?
We would like you to bring in a healthy snack to share with the other children, for example: fruit, vegetables, crackers or cheese (no nuts or products that may contain nuts please).
The children should have clothing appropriate for the weather. In hot weather, please apply sun screen to your child before they arrive; on cooler or wet days bring wellies and coats so that children can play freely in the garden and go on walks around the village whatever the weather.
Please also bring a named water bottle of fresh water each day.
For children attending all day or the afternoon session, please provide a healthy packed lunch.
We also welcome items suitable for junk modelling and cooking and craft activities.
Can my child attend additional sessions?
If we have space available, you can ‘top-up’ with extra sessions on a regular or ad-hoc basis. Priority will be given to ensuring funded children access the maximum 15 hours Universal entitlement. We can’t reserve places for future terms if there is a child who is eligible and able to start sooner.
Is Little Pippins affiliated with a particular school?
The majority of the children go to our local partnership school, Harwell Primary School, The Styles, Harwell. However, we do have children who go to schools in Didcot, Chilton and other surrounding villages.
What is Breakfast Club / After School Club/ Walking Bus?
The Breakfast Club is open to any child aged three to eleven years and exists to give children a warm, safe and friendly environment each weekday from 8.00am to 9.15am. Children can arrive and have breakfast between 8.00am and 8.20am. At 8.40am the Walking Bus takes the school children to Harwell School.
The Walking Bus can also pick up Pre-school children from the school at 8.55am and bring them to Little Pippins where they will be supervised until the start of the morning session.
Harwell School run The Barn after school club for children aged 3-11. Pre-school children booked into the club can be taken there by Walking Bus at 3.15pm. There is a charge for this.
How can I register my child for Little Pippins or the Breakfast Club?
To register your child, simply download the Registration Form, complete it and send it with your £20 registration deposit (not required for Breakfast Club) to us at Little Pippins Pre-School, Freeman Orchard, Gaveston Road, Harwell Village, Oxfordshire, OX11 0HP.
You are also welcome to come and have a look round the pre-school and pick up/hand in a registration form.
Most children start Pre-school in September but spaces may be available at other times of the year. Children must be registered with us then we will contact the next most eligible person on the registration list during the term before their preferred start date. Places are allocated in accordance with the criteria in our Admissions and Fees Policy.
