Seven Steps Childcare is a teacher-led environment designed to provide a nurturing home-from-home setting. Our primary focus is ensuring young children are supported and school ready through high-quality care and an active daily routine.

1. Admissions and Ratios

We strictly adhere to the Equality Act 2010 and the EYFS Statutory Framework to ensure a fair and inclusive environment. As an Ofsted-registered provider, we follow statutory ratios:

• Total Capacity: A maximum of 6 children under the age of 8.
• Early Years: Within that total, a maximum of 3 children under the age of 5.
• Infant Limit: Only 1 child under the age of 1 within the early years group.
• Age Focus: While we are registered for birth to 18 years, our core focus is ages 2–5. We do not typically care for infants under two, though we may discuss placements for children from 18 months on an individual basis.

2. Operating Hours and Attendance

We operate 46 weeks per year, closing for six weeks of scheduled annual leave (dates provided every January).

• All Day Care (Ages 2-5): Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm.
• Wraparound Care (Ages 5-8+): Before-school drop-off from 8:00 am and after-school collection by 6:00 pm.
• School Runs: We only provide drop-offs and collections for Holy Trinity First School via walking.
• Late Collection: A grace period applies until 6:05 pm. Persistent lateness after 6:06 pm incurs fees starting at £5.00 per 15-minute increment.

3. Waiting List and Allocation

When a vacancy arises, spaces are offered in the following order of priority:

1. Statutory Priority: Looked After Children (foster care).
2. Siblings: Brothers and sisters of children already attending the setting.
3. Date of Application: Chronological order of joining the waiting list.
4. Suitability of Hours: How well the required hours match the current vacancy.

4. Fees and Funding

We offer three distinct placement types to suit different family needs:

• Full-fee/Private Places: For non-funded hours.
• Enhanced Funded Places: Includes funded hours plus a "Daily Food and Hygiene Fee."
• Standard Funded Places: Funded hours only; parents provide all meals and consumables.

Daily Food and Hygiene Fee (£5.00): This optional fee covers snacks, a cold lunch, milk, wipes, nappies, and seasonal items like sun cream.

Funding Model: We "stretch" government entitlements over 46 weeks to provide consistent monthly billing. For example, a 15-hour entitlement is delivered as 12.39 hours per week.

5. Payments and Deposits

• Deposits: A deposit is required to secure a place. For private places, this is equivalent to four weeks' fees; for funded places, it is a flat rate refunded after the child starts.
• Invoicing: Invoices are issued monthly and must be settled within 7 days via Bank Transfer, Tax-Free Childcare, or Childcare Vouchers.
• Absences: Full fees are payable for child illness or family holidays. No fees are charged for childminder illness or scheduled closures.

6. The Admissions Timeline

1. Initial Visit: A 30-minute meeting to view the environment.
2. Induction Visit: A 45-minute focused session to discuss the child’s needs.
3. Contract and Deposit: Paperwork is signed and the deposit is paid to secure the vacancy.
4. Settling Sessions: Approximately three sessions of increasing length.
5. Trial Period: The first four weeks act as a trial with a 24-hour notice period.
6. Permanent Placement: After the trial, a standard four-week written notice period applies for any changes or termination.

7. Inclusion and SEND

We welcome children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We work closely with families to ensure our routine is a supportive fit and that we are fully equipped to provide the specific care required. Additional details can be found in our standalone Equality, Inclusion and SEND Policy.