Fees

Playgroup is funded partly by the collection of fees and partly by Fife Council funding received for eligible children.

Fees are set at the AGM each June for the following year. Current costs for the 2009/2010 academic year are:

• For children aged 2 years 6 months until they receive funding fees are £4.60 per session (including snack)
• For children eligible for free places (see below) - 25p per session to cover snack
• To cover the cost of producing a PLP for each child, £4 will be added to the first bill after your child starts playgroup
• We also have a cleaning fee of £0.75 per month to help towards costs

Children who turn 3 before 1st March will be eligible for a free place from the term after their 3rd birthday. We are aware that at this point you will be offered a place at the local school Nursery, but you can choose for your child to remain at Playgroup until the summer holidays and then have their pre-school year at Nursery. Whatever you choose, your child's place will be funded until they go to school. Ferryfield is a Fife Council Partnership Provider and is obliged to provide the same curriculum as council nurseries.

You will be offered a maximum of 5 sessions per week. It is up to you how many sessions you want your child to attend. Please note, however, that our funding claims must be in by specific dates. Any changes requested after these dates may not be funded and fees could be charged.

Working Tax Credit

As part of Working Tax Credit, you may qualify for extra help towards the costs of Playgroup Sessions and Lunch Club at Ferryfield Playgroup. You can only get this if you are working at least 16 hours a week. If you are part of couple, you both must work at least 16 hours, unless one of you is prevented from working due to incapacity. The child care element of Working Tax Credit is worth up to 70% of your weekly costs on approved child care. To check if you are eligible for help with costs, call the Helpline on 0845 300 3900 or go online at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits.

Hours

Regular Session: Monday-Friday, 9:15-11:45 [Apply]

Lunch Club: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (this may be extended to more days according to demand), 11:45-14:30 [Apply].

Wraparound Care

Lunch Club

The purpose of Ferryfield Playgroup Lunch Club is to provide lunch time care for children aged 2 years and 6 months to age 5. The hope is that this will give parents and carers more flexibility and opportunity to return to work or study. The Lunch Club is run by the Ferryfield Committee. Your children will be looked after by Playgroup staff, but it should be stressed that this is not an education session. Activities will be provided for your child to choose from.

The cost for each session is £5.00.

You should supply your child with a packed lunch labelled with their name. Please note that we are unable to heat up food for your child, but you are welcome to put warmed items in a thermos or flask.

Ferryfield Playgroup Lunch Club will provide your child with several activities for their entertainment. They will be able to help with washing and drying up plates from lunch, watch videos or listen to story tapes and play tabletop activities such as board games and puzzles. Occasionally we may have visitors join the Lunch Club to tell us about their work. This may include policemen, fireman and greengrocers from the supermarket among others. Also a quiet area will be provided where children can relax and read. Blankets and chairs will be provided. Please advise a member of staff if you do not wish your child to sleep.

Registration and Availability

Priority is given to children who are already registered with Ferryfield Playgroup. Parents are required to fill in a supplementary registration form for the Lunch Club. The use of Lunch Club is independent of Playgroup sessions. If you would like your child to take part in Lunch Club to allow time for an appointment or other one-off basis, please speak to a member of staff to see if a place is available on the day you require.

Pick ups from Westfield Nursery directly to playgroup with a safe and reliable taxi company are currently available on request. Parents share the very reasonable cost of this taxi between them, and it is therefore dependent on the number of children using the service. Please speak with a member of staff if you are interested in using this service.