There is currently a waiting list for our preschool, please register with us online to secure your child’s space.
Puddleducks Preschool is open 5 days a week during term time. Visit our sessions information guide for fees and times.
We offer both 30 hours and 15 hours funding for working parents, as well as support for low income families.
Admissions
Children can attend Puddleducks from 18 Months Old until they go to school. We always try to stagger start dates so as to help new children settle in with ease.
A simple registration process is available online. Parents/carers stay are encouraged to stay for their first session. If you feel your child needs more than one settling in session please speak to your child’s key person.
Puddleducks caters for children in the Mulbarton Primary School catchment area (Mulbarton, Swardeston, Bracon Ash, East Carleton and Hethersett), but can also accommodate all surrounding areas. All preschool children aged 18 months to 5 years old will be considered for our admissions list, but as the longest established preschool and playgroup in Mulbarton, we do have a waiting list and recommend that you register your child as soon as possible. Admissions run a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis, but will accommodate you as best we can.
Enquire today, to reserve your child's space
We take reservations from birth
Session times & fees
Puddleducks is open 5 days a week, with ALL sessions available for children from 18 months to school age.
We offer fixed, regular session to all registered users, to fit in around you and your childs requirements and developmental needs.
However, should you find yourself needing additional child care, outside of your usual
agreed hours for any reason then we can offer adhoc and extra sessions when our legal
ratio allows.
Please contact our setting manager, Sarah Webster at leadpractitioner@puddleducksmulbarton.co.uk or Debs Fiddeman at businessmanager@puddleducksmulbarton.co.uk who will do their best to accommodate additional needs including short-notice or emergency situations. (While we cannot guarantee available spaces on any given day, we will do our very best to accomodate you).
Fees
Our fees are based on £5.00 per hour for all sessions. We operate from 8am until 3.30pm on Monday and Friday and 8am until 5.45pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with half day sessions available to tailor to yours and your child’s needs.
Please note: Children must be collected by 5:45
Mix and match session across multiple days, or feel free to call and add sessions over your usual booking pattern (subject to availabilty and ‘reasonable notice)
Individual session hours and costs are outlined below.
Full day
- Snack supplied
- Water and milk available
- Packed lunch required
- Sessions available Monday to Friday
Breakfast Club
- Breakfast provided (included in session cost)
- Water and milk available
- Sessions available Monday to Friday
Morning
- Snack supplied
- Water and milk available
- Sessions available Monday to Friday
Afternoon
- Packed lunch required
- Water and milk available
- Sessions available Monday to Friday
Twilight
- Water and milk available
- Light dinner provided (included in session cost)
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Funding
We accept all forms of the government funding;
- the universal 15 hours for all three and four-year-olds;
- 30 hours funding entitlement for working families;
- 15 hours funding entitlement for those families claiming eligible benefits;
- and the 15/30 hours working entitlement for those parents of children over 9 months.
For more information you can visit the government website www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to check your eligibility and apply for your funding code or you can visit Norfolk County Councils website www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk where you will be directed to check you eligibility by creating an online Norfolk Education account.
Clothing
Due to the British weather, we never know quite what to expect. Can we therefore request that children are dressed appropriately for their session so they are able to play freely and so in the event of a clothing change, we can they have fasteners they can undo themselves or staff can undo quickly.
We like to be able to have messy play and although we do have aprons and all-in-one suits, it is not always possible to keep the children clean and dry.
Puddleducks also operates an indoor shoe policy. Parents are encouraged to provide soft-soled shoes for indoor use only e.g. crocs, slippers or canvas shoes.
Don’t forget their wellies and coats. Bring suitable outdoor clothing for your child or children as we do access the garden in all weathers. For those sunny summer days, please remember their sun hats and sun-cream.
If you’d like to purchase Puddleducks uniform (sweatshirts and T-shirts with our logo on), please visit myclothing.com. Tesco’s embroidery service is no longer available to purchase from unfortunately.
** To ensure no items of clothing, footwear or accessories are lost of confused with another child, please clearly name all items.**
In the event of an toilet accident or being muddy, please send your child to group with a change of clothing in a named bag so they can be changed. We do have some spares but we’d rather dress the children in their own clothes.
Children are supported by staff with enhanced DBS checks whilst using the toilet. Changing facilities are provided for children wearing nappies. If your child is in nappies, please pack their bags to include all nappy changing items.