How you and your child will benefit

We recognise that for many families childcare is a necessary but unwelcome expense. Starting a young child with a carer can also be a stressful experience both for the adult and the child. In all cases we would urge you to spend as much time as possible in selecting the right kind of care as well as the specific provider. Above all you must make sure you and your child are happy with the provider and take time to settle in. You should also rest assured that there are many studies that attribute social and economic benefits to childcare – so money spent now on childcare can be seen as an investment in your child’s and your own future.

Whatever your reason for needing childcare, there are many different types available, including childminders, nannies, crèches and pre-school groups. They all offer different kinds of care and educational benefits and you should identify what’s right for your particular needs.

In most cases your local Family Information Service can help.

Mama Bear’s is an integrated Day Nursery and Pre-School. The benefit that Mama Bear’s offers you and your family is that we offer continuity of care and education from Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 7.00pm, 51 weeks of the year for children from 3 months until they go to Reception Class in the September after they are 4 years of age.

Children at Mama Bear’s benefit from contact with other children and the social interaction of the group. There are a large number of toys and resources available in this well-maintained setting, as well as a staffing structure that supports good planning, implementation and continuity of activities. Mama Bear’s has comprehensive policies and procedures as well as a strong and visible Management team to ensure that high standards are maintained by suitable staff at all times. All staff are committed to continuous training and personal development.

We place the child at the centre of everything that we do and organise ourselves to promote good outcomes for children accordingly. In line with the requirements of the Children Act 2004 we aim to help children:

Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution

Thereby giving them the best possible start towards achieving economic well-being in later life.

Help with funding your nursery place
Introduction

If you’d like your child to Mama Bear’s Day Nursery at South Devon College you may be eligible for assistance with the cost through a number of initiatives. For more information, including contact details, please ask the Nursery Manager.
Childcare Vouchers

We accept vouchers from all the major and local suppliers, including Eden Red, Care4, B&NES, Sodexho, Faircare, All Save, Kiddi Vouchers, Early Years, Family Matters, Fideliti, Imagine/Mid Counties Co-op, Kids Unlimited and Computershare. Ask us if you have vouchers from another source.
Childcare element of Working Tax Credit

The Working Tax Credit has a Childcare element that will pay up to 80% of your childcare costs, up to £140 per week for families with childcare costs for one child and £240 per week for families with two or more children, subject to status. Parents / carers must be working a minimum of 16 hours per week.
Financial support for young parents and students

Please contact the College Helpzone for information on what financial support might be available to help you.
Free Nursery Entitlement for 3 and 4 Year Olds

From 1st September 2010 every child is entitled to up to 15 hours free nursery provision per week during term time from the term after their third birthday until they start school. These sessions are funded by the Local Authority.

Parents / carers apply for the entitlement on a termly basis via the nursery. This is a simple process which we will help you with.

In line with the DfE and the Local Authority’s Code of Practice Mama Bear’s are offering the free entitlement flexibly as detailed below. Please note though that some places may be limited with availability on a first-come-first served basis.

As part of an all year round, fee-paying nursery place. In this case the first 15 hours per week (with a maximum of 6 hours in any single day) during term time are free of charge.

Three free 5 hour sessions per week, term time only for 38 weeks of the year. These will usually be afternoon sessions from 1.00pm to 6.00pm but morning sessions may also be available. These sessions include meals and snacks, which are not funded by the FEEE and therefore a charge per session of £2.50 for morning snack and lunch and £1.50 for afternoon tea will be made to cover the nursery’s costs.

Five free 3 hour sessions per week, term time only for 38 weeks of the year. Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am and afternoon sessions from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. These sessions include drinks but no meals.

Opening hours and ages of children

Mama Bear’s Day Nursery & Pre-school at South Devon College is open from 7.30am to 7.00pm, Monday to Friday all year round except Bank Holidays and Christmas Week (i.e. from when we close on Christmas Eve to 2nd January).

We care for children from three months to five years old.