It is our intention to make Little Oaks Nurseries accessible to children and families from all accessible areas but recognise that most applicants live in Penn & Tylers Green, Beaconsfield, Hazlemere or High Wycombe. We aim to ensure that all sections of our community have access to the nurseries through open, fair and clearly communicated procedures.

Little Oaks @ The Parish Rooms is open to children aged 18 months to 3 years. Children who are under 2 may start in a smaller group and move to the larger group either at the end of a term or when we and parents agree they are ready.

Little Oaks @ Tylers Green provides places for children aged 3-4 who are in their ‘preschool’ year (i.e. their fourth birthday falls in the academic year 1st September to 31st August). Children will attend for the 3 terms of that academic year before starting full-time education the following September. Ocaasionally, if spaces are available, children can be admitted in the term after they are three.

Little Oaks @ Forty Green welcomes children aged 2-4 years old. Children may start attending following their 2nd birthday and most will stay until they leave for school.

An application for a place at one of our nurseries may be made at any time, and we allocate places on a first come, first served basis. In addition, our policy may consider the following criteria:

• the vicinity of the home to the nursery;
• siblings already attending the nursery or our Little Oaks Breakfast & Tea time facility;
• children of members of staff;
• special characteristics including disability, special educational or physical needs or illness.

Our nurseries are completely inclusive, regardless of the needs or circumstances of children and their families. We welcome all families and work hard to support each child on their individual learning journey. We have A qualified and experienced SENCO who works across all the settings to implement specific strategies and support plans as required.

We are open for approximately 38 weeks per year. The funding streams we offer are:

• Disadvantaged 2-year-olds (parents who receive some additional government support)
• Universal entitlement for all 3- & 4-year-olds
• Eligible Working Parent entitlements for 2 year olds
• Eligible Working Parent entitlements for 3 and 4 year olds (30 hours)

Invoicing and Payments

Invoices are issued at the beginning of each month with payment due by 12th of the month. We encourage parents to set up a Direct Debit via the Blossom app but we also accept payment via direct bank payments, childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare. No deposit or registration fee is required in order to enrol your child.

Our fees for unfunded hours from January 2024 are £8.90 per hour regardless of the child’s age or number of qualified adults required at any given time.

• Monthly invoicing will only include pre-agreed payments. For parents claiming their funded entitlement, a place is offered without the need for any extra payment. If agreed when accepting the place, charges include special sessions, e.g. Forest School, outings in the local area, visitors and additional taught experiences. For funded 2-year-olds there is no additional charge except for additional hours above those that are funded.
• We may charge fees for occasional special activities, but we will never insist on a child taking part in a fee-paying activity. Should this be the case, a suitable alternative would be provided (on an ad hoc basis).
• A signed parent declaration and a parent/provider agreement must be in place for us to claim funding. We will provide parents with all necessary paperwork.

Non-payment of fees & charges

• Parents receive a monthly statement and can view their account via the app at any time.
• If parents are experiencing hardship or are for any reason unable to pay on the agreed date, we discuss the situation with them and will propose a payment plan if appropriate.
• If no payment has been received for 90 days and parents have not been willing to discuss the matter, we may ask for a child to be removed. However, our first approach is always to work with parents to try to resolve their debt.

Allocation of places and what happens next

In the Spring term prior to the academic year children would be due to start at Little Oaks, we will write to parents offering their child a place for September. Once the place has been accepted, parents will be invited to bring their child to a ‘taster session’ during June or July, along with an opportunity to meet their child’s key person and to ask questions and complete paperwork. Parents will need to bring their child’s birth certificate or passport as well as their red book / proof of vaccinations. Children visit again for a further taster session just before the start of term in September.

Parents who have been unsuccessful in gaining a place for their child may keep their child’s name on a waiting list in case a place is available at a later date.

The opening hours of our nurseries varies. Where your chosen nursery does not open for the full 30 hours a week, you can still claim any funded hours in excess of the 15 as part of your 30-hour allowance. If you’re not sure of your entitlement, please visit https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Admission to our nursery at Tylers Green First School does not entitle children to a place in the main school – this is a separate admissions procedure administered by Buckinghamshire Council. Please visit https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/ to find out more.