Your questions, answered

Children from 2 years old until they start school (up to 4 years 11 months).

We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm, for 38 weeks of the year (term time). Mornings are 9 to 12 and afternoons are 12 to 3.

Yes. We accept 15 and 30 funded hours for eligible 2, 3 and 4 year olds. You can also pay with Tax-Free Childcare.

30 funded hours covers five full days with us, 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, in term time.

Yes, there is a free car park on site at Newlands Church, and a main bus route close by.

No. We change nappies throughout the day. Please send nappies and wipes in your child’s Wigmore string bag.

Your child’s packed lunch, snacks, nappies or pull-ups, wipes and spare clothes. Every child gets a Wigmore string bag to keep them in, plus their own tray, coat peg and a space in our chilled lunch trolley.

Yes. We have a dedicated SENCo, and Ofsted described our support for children with special educational needs and disabilities as a strength.

Book a visit or join our waiting list online, or call us on 07414 741610. We will talk you through the sessions we have available.

We are a registered charity (number 1000430). A volunteer committee of parents, staff and supporters oversees the pre-school, and our supervisor leads the team day to day.

A member of staff who gets to know your child and your family really well. They help your child settle, track their progress and are your first point of contact.

Through the Tapestry app, where we share photos and observations, plus chats at drop-off and pick-up and regular updates from your key person.

Yes. The committee meets once each half term and new members are always welcome. No experience is needed, but an enhanced DBS check is required.

Children bring a packed lunch, which we eat together from 12 to 12.30. We do not run a hot lunch club.

Something from each food group: fruit, vegetables, a starchy food such as bread or pasta, a protein and a dairy food. Water, milk or a low-sugar drink.

Please avoid nuts and eggs (because of allergies), sweets, chocolate, crisps, sugary drinks and processed meats.

Yes, every day. Please send a named coat, and wellies on wet days.

Yes. We do not charge for funded hours, activities or learning materials. Parents and carers provide their child’s lunch, snacks, nappies, wipes and sun cream.

By bank transfer, Tax-Free Childcare or childcare vouchers. Invoices are sent termly in advance.

A government scheme where for every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2, up to £2,000 a year for each child (£4,000 for a disabled child).

Fees are payable whether or not your child attends, as your child’s place is kept for them.

Yes, with two weeks’ notice. Talk to us about adding sessions at any time.

Apply through the government Childcare Choices website. Once you have your code, give it to us with your National Insurance number and your child’s date of birth, and we check it with Luton Council before your child starts.

Working families where each parent (or the only parent in a single-parent family) expects to earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage, and less than £100,000 a year.

From the start of the term after their third birthday: 1 September, 1 January or 1 April. Every 3 and 4 year old in England can get these hours.

Children of working parents (with a code), and some 2 year olds whose families get extra support, for example certain benefits, or children with an EHC plan, getting Disability Living Allowance, or who are looked after.

Yes. Working parents reconfirm their details every 3 months on the Childcare Choices account, or the code stops being valid.

Apply in good time and make sure your code is valid before the term starts: by 31 August for September, 31 December for January and 31 March for April.

No. Funded hours are free, and we do not charge for activities or learning materials. Parents and carers provide lunch, snacks, nappies and wipes.

Usually, yes. Funding is generally paid to the setting your child attends, so families from nearby Hertfordshire villages can still use their hours with us. We will check for you.

Yes. Many families use their funded hours and add paid sessions on top.

Yes. Children can join us from their second birthday.

Working parents can get up to 30 hours a week, and some families get 15 hours through 2-year-old funding for extra support. Paid places are also available.

No. We change nappies throughout the day. Please send nappies and wipes in your child’s Wigmore string bag. When you start potty training at home, we will do the same here.

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage ratios for 2 year olds, which allow fewer children per adult than for older children, so younger children get more adult time.

Lots of 2 year olds are still finding their words. Stories, songs and chatting through play help, and if we think extra help would be useful we will talk to you and, with your agreement, involve speech and language support.

A Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. Ours works with you, your child’s key person and other professionals to plan the right support.

No. We support every child based on what they need, with or without a diagnosis.

Settings can apply for SEN inclusion funding for extra support, and the Disability Access Fund for children who get Disability Living Allowance. We help with the paperwork.

Luton SENDIAS gives free, impartial advice to families, and we can help you get in touch with speech and language therapy and other local services.

There is no test. Most children are ready from age 2 to enjoy short sessions. Starting with a few mornings a week is a gentle way in.

Yes. You stay for the first few sessions, then leave for short spells that get longer as your child settles.

It is very common and usually passes within minutes. A quick, cheerful goodbye helps. We will call you if your child does not settle.