Frequently Asked Questions

1. 1. 1. What are the opening hours of Little Pippins?
      2. How much does it cost?
      3. At what age can my child attend Little Pippins?
      4. When does funding start and how do I claim it?
      5. Does my child have to be out of nappies?
      6. When my child starts Pre-school, do I have to provide anything?
      7. Can my child attend additional sessions?
      8. Is Little Pippins affiliated with a particular school?
      9. 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:

8:35am – 9:05am Early Pips
9:05am – 12.05pm Morning Session
12:05pm – 3:05pm Afternoon Session (including lunch club)

How much does it cost?

Fees are reviewed annually in April, Fees from April 2023:

Pre-school Session Fees (unfunded child aged 3 years and over )

£22.00  morning or afternoon pre-school session 

Pre-school Session Fees (child aged under 3years)

£25.50   morning or afternoon pre-school session 

Early Pips (3yrs and over)

£5.00  per session 

Other Pre-school Charges

£20.00   Registration Deposit for Pre-school (refundable when your child leaves)
£10.00 Late Collection Fee

You can use childcare vouchers or Tax Free Childcare to pay, further information on the Tax Free Childcare Scheme can be found here Tax Free Childcare

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 every week 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 wear clothing appropriate for the weather.  In hot weather, please apply sun screen to your child before they arrive;  on cooler or wet days bring hats, gloves and  coats so that children can play freely in the garden and go on walks around the village whatever the weather.

They will a need to have a pair of wellies that can be kept at Pippins 

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 donations of 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 village school, Harwell Primary School, The Styles, Harwell but this can be oversubscribed. We do also have children who go to schools in Didcot, Chilton and other surrounding villages.  We support a good transition process and handover of information for all the children whichever school they move on to.

How can I register my child for Little Pippins?

To register your child, simply download the Registration Form, complete it and send it with your £20 registration deposit  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 places may be available at other times of the year. We will contact the next most eligible person whose form we have on our registration list during the term before their preferred start date.  Places are allocated in accordance with the criteria in our Admissions Policy (Childcare Practice 9.1).