Where children have fun, learning

Flexible Childcare Options

27.11.24 -

Flexible Childcare Options At Mama Bears Day Nursery

Work is no longer a nine-to-five schedule for many people, so finding childcare that adapts to the needs of your family is extremely important. At Mama Bear’s Day Nursery, we understand the challenges that come with working parents and the need for high-quality early childhood care and education. We have been in operation for decades, and we have tailored our services to provide exceptional, flexible childcare solutions that support both parents and children.

Mama Bear Day Nurseries is proud to not only meet the standard of childcare in the UK but set it, ensuring that every child in our care has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in the environments created for their success and happiness.

Adaptable Childcare Options at Mama Bear’s Day Nursery

Recognising that every family's lifestyle is different and often unpredictable, Mama Bear’s Day Nursery offers adaptable childcare solutions. Our goal is to accommodate the varying schedules of families, ensuring that no matter how atypical your working hours might be, there is a childcare plan that fits your needs.

Whilst we can be flexible in our approach and bookings in every location, our Whiteladies Road, Clifton , Bristol and Midvale Road, Paignton are dedicated Flexicare nurseries.

Flexible Childcare Options

Flexible Childcare Services: Choose from full days, half days, or even ad hoc half or full-day sessions if they are available. Our system is designed to be as flexible as possible when it comes to your work schedule, allowing you to plan childcare around your needs.

Pay Only for What You Need: With our booking system, you only pay for the childcare you book. This can significantly reduce childcare costs for families who do not require everyday or full-day care.

Short-Notice Booking: We understand that plans can change quickly, and if we have the space available, we can book your ad hoc childcare sessions to meet your needs.

Ideal for Shift Workers: Our system supports parents with non-standard work hours, offering reliable childcare solutions for mornings, afternoons, full weeks, or set days. Our flexible sessions are ideal for anyone who has flexible shift patterns. Demand is always high for these sessions, so you should book as far in advance as you can to secure these sessions.

Opening Hours: Our nurseries offer wraparound childcare and are open from 7.30 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday, all year round except bank holidays and the Christmas week.

Government-Funded Childcare Flexibility

We also support families through the UK government-funded childcare schemes, which can cover up to 30 hours of childcare per week for eligible families. This initiative significantly reduces the cost of childcare and is flexible enough to be used in conjunction with our Flexi-care Booking System. We assist families in understanding and applying for these benefits to ensure they receive the maximum support available.

Tailored Day Structure

Our nursery adapts daily routines to meet the diverse needs and interests of children, integrating both energetic play and quieter, reflective activities. Whether your child thrives on active, outdoor play or prefers engaging in sensory activities indoors, our programmes are designed to nurture their individual growth and needs.

Why Choose Mama Bear’s

Choosing Mama Bear’s means opting for a nursery that respects and responds to the unique needs of your family and childcare arrangements. With our flexible childcare services and booking options and the integration of government-funded support, we provide the highest quality educational experiences that are accessible and adaptable to any family situation.

Selecting the right childcare provider and type of childcare is a significant decision for any parent. At Mama Bear’s Day Nursery, we pride ourselves on not just being a choice but the best choice for your family’s needs. Here’s why so many parents trust us with their loved ones:

Commitment to Quality and Safety

Ofsted Good Rating: Mama Bear’s has consistently earned a 'Good' rating from Ofsted, affirming our commitment to providing high-quality childcare that meets stringent safety and educational standards. Our staff are dedicated, trained, qualified, and passionate about creating a nurturing and secure environment where your child can flourish.

Highly Qualified Staff: We believe that exceptional childcare is rooted in exceptional educators. Our team is comprised of experienced and qualified professionals who undergo ongoing training to stay at the forefront of early years education. This ensures your child benefits from the most effective and innovative teaching methods.

Nurturing Environment: We understand the importance of creating a warm and welcoming environment that feels like a second home to the children who attend our nurseries. They are designed to be a comforting and stimulating space where they feel safe, valued, and part of a community.

Personalised Care: At Mama Bear’s, we treat every child as an individual. Our staff take the time to get to know each child’s personality, interests, and developmental needs. This allows us to tailor our care and educational activities to best support each child's growth and happiness. Every child at Mama Bears has their own keyworker who they will get to know really well during their time with us.

Nursery Safety: A member of staff welcomes and releases each visitor to our nurseries. Only those who have been pre-authorised can pick up a child from our nurseries, and this will only differ if a main parent or carer gives their ad hoc permission. We take emergency contact numbers for all parents and carers so we can contact them if we need to.

Open Communication: We maintain open lines of communication with all our families. Parents receive regular updates about their child’s progress, including milestones and daily activities, through our user-friendly parent portal and face-to-face interactions.

Comprehensive Care Options: Whether you need full-time care, part-time care, or occasional drop-in sessions, our services are designed to meet your specific requirements. This adaptability makes it easier for you to manage your family’s unique schedule without compromising on the quality of childcare.

At Mama Bear’s Day Nursery, you’re not just choosing a childcare service; you’re choosing a partner in your child’s early development. With our strong emphasis on quality, safety, and community, combined with our flexible care options, we ensure that every child thrives and every family feels supported. Discover the peace of mind that comes with knowing your child is in caring, capable hands at Mama Bear’s.

A Structured Yet Flexible Day at Mama Bear’s

A day at Mama Bear’s Day Nursery is carefully structured to provide a balanced routine that caters to the needs of all children, from infants to preschoolers. Our schedule is designed to encourage learning, creativity, physical activity, and rest in a happy and content environment.

Welcoming Start to the Day

Morning Arrival: Each day begins with a warm welcome. As children arrive, they are greeted by familiar faces and engaging morning activities that ease the transition from home to nursery. This time allows children to settle in at their own pace, providing comfort and consistency that nurture a sense of security for them.

Flexible Drop-Off Times: Understanding that each family’s morning routine is different, we offer flexible drop-off times. Parents can bring their children within a window that suits their schedule, ensuring that no matter if it’s a drop-off for a full day, half-day, or just a few hours, the process is seamless and stress-free for your children.

Engaging and Educational Activities

Structured Play: The core of our day involves a variety of structured play activities designed to promote each child’s cognitive, social, and physical development. From puzzles and storytelling in the sensory spaces to imaginative play, activities are tailored to engage and challenge children appropriately for their age and developmental stage.

Outdoor Exploration: Weather permitting, children spend time in our secure outdoor play areas every day. This not only allows them to burn off some energy but also supports their physical development and their understanding of the world around them. Activities are designed to be both fun and educational, including nature walks, sports, and supervised free play in our safe, equipment-rich gardens.

Midday: Nourishment and Rest

Nutritious Meals and Snacks: We serve freshly prepared, nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day. Our menus are crafted by nutrition experts to ensure that children receive balanced meals that fuel their growth and energy levels. We cater to all dietary requirements and use mealtime as an opportunity to teach good eating habits and social skills.

Quiet Time: After lunch, children participate in a quiet time that allows for rest. Depending on the child’s age and needs, this could involve napping or engaging in quiet activities such as reading or drawing. This downtime is essential for children’s well-being, giving them a much-needed break to recharge for the afternoon’s activities.

Afternoon Activities and Flexible Pickup

Learning Through Play: The afternoon is filled with a mix of free play and guided educational activities dependent on the age of the children, allowing them to explore their interests further and consolidate their learning experiences from the morning. Activities are often project-based, giving children the chance to work on longer-term goals and achievements.

Flexible Pickup Times: Just as we accommodate varying drop-off times, our pickup schedule is designed to be flexible. Parents can collect their children at times that work best for them, up until closing. We ensure that every child who stays later continues to be engaged and cared for through structured activities and supervision.

Summary

At Mama Bear’s Day Nursery, we understand that no two families are the same, which is why we provide a day structured for learning and development yet flexible enough to accommodate the unique needs of our children and families. From the moment your child steps through our doors until they wave goodbye, they are in an environment that is not just about care but about creating a foundation for a lifetime of learning.

Preparing Your Child for School: The Mama Bear’s Approach

At Mama Bear’s Day Nursery, our ultimate goal is not just to provide care but to actively prepare your child for the important transition to school. Our programmes are crafted with the foresight of experienced educators to ensure that when the time comes, each child is not only ready but eager to take the next step in their educational journey.

Foundations in Key Learning Areas

Literacy and Numeracy: We introduce foundational concepts of literacy and numeracy through playful and engaging activities. Children enjoy storytime that expands their vocabulary and interactive counting games that make learning numbers fun. By integrating these skills into daily activities, children develop a natural ease with words and numbers, setting them up for a smooth transition to formal schooling.

Cognitive Development: Critical thinking and problem-solving are at the core of our learning approach. Through puzzles, building blocks, and age-appropriate science experiments, children learn to question, predict, and analyse. These activities are designed to spark curiosity and encourage an investigative mindset, which are crucial skills for academic success.

Emotional and Social Preparedness

Social Skills: Group activities and structured playtime are integral to developing social skills such as sharing, cooperation, and empathy. Our staff are trained to guide children through interactions and resolve conflicts in ways that teach them about respect and understanding for others.

Emotional Resilience: We help children develop resilience and independence through structured activities that encourage them to try new things and persist with challenging tasks. Our nurturing environment ensures that children feel safe and supported as they learn to manage their emotions and gain confidence in their abilities.

Physical Preparedness

Fine and Gross Motor Skills: From outdoor play to specific motor-skills activities, we ensure children develop both their fine and gross motor skills. These are important not only for the physical tasks of school life like writing and sports but also for building confidence in their physical capabilities.

Health and Self-care: Teaching children about health and self-care is a priority. We promote hygiene practices such as washing hands and brushing teeth and help children understand the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. These lessons are essential for children to take responsibility for their health as they grow.

Communication and Expressive Arts

Expressive Arts: Through drawing, painting, music, and drama, children express their thoughts and feelings in various ways, enhancing their creativity and emotional expression. The variety of activities is vital for developing communication skills and often serve as a bridge for children to tell us about their world.

Technology Awareness: In an age-appropriate manner, we introduce children to technology that enhances learning. Interactive e-books, educational apps, and child-friendly programming activities are used under close supervision to ensure technology acts as an aid and not a distraction.

Summary

Preparing for school is a comprehensive journey that encompasses much more than academic readiness. At Mama Bear’s Day Nursery, we prepare your child holistically, fostering a love for learning, respect for others, and self-confidence. Our tailored approach ensures that each child not only meets but exceeds the developmental milestones necessary for a successful start in school. With Mama Bear’s, your child gains the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in their educational journey ahead.

Navigating UK Government-Funded Childcare Options

Navigating the landscape of government-funded childcare options can be complex, but understanding these can provide significant benefits for families. At Mama Bear's Day Nursery, we are committed to helping you utilise these opportunities to the fullest, ensuring that the cost of childcare becomes more manageable while maintaining the highest standards of care and education.

Understanding Your Eligibility

The age of your child determines how many hours of free childcare you are eligible for. If your child is:

9 Months to Two-Year-Olds: Families in England may be eligible for up to 15 hours of funded childcare per week in school term time if they meet the criteria. This provision is designed to support early intervention and readiness for more structured learning environments.

For Three to Four-Year-Olds: All families in the UK are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week, starting the term after their child turns three. Additionally, working parents may be eligible for up to 30 hours of funded childcare in school term time. This extended benefit requires an eligibility check and renewal every three months to continue receiving support.

How to Apply

The application process involves obtaining a code from the Childcare Choices website, which then needs to be presented to your childcare provider. At Mama Bear’s, we assist you in this process by providing detailed guidance on how to apply and validate your code, ensuring that you can seamlessly secure your funding without stress. You can find out more here.

Maximising Your Benefits

To make the most of the funded childcare, it's crucial to stay informed about key dates and deadlines. For example, to access funding in September, you must have your code validated by the end of August. Mama Bear takes an active role in reminding you of these important timelines through our newsletters and parent communication.

Beyond Funding: Additional Support

Understanding that every family’s needs are different, we also offer flexible payment plans and additional sessions that can be tailored around the funded hours. This flexibility ensures that you can build a childcare schedule that works best for your family, integrating free entitlements with additional care if needed.

Childcare Vouchers

Childcare vouchers are an invaluable benefit for many working parents, offering a tax-efficient way to manage the costs of childcare. The system allows parents to exchange a portion of their pre-tax salary for childcare vouchers, effectively reducing their income tax and national insurance contributions. These vouchers can be used to pay for a wide range of childcare provision, including day nurseries, after-school clubs, and registered childminders, up to a certain amount per month. The exact savings depend on the parent's tax rate and the amount of salary they choose to sacrifice. Employers also benefit from reduced national insurance contributions, making it a favourable option for many. Using this system can significantly lower the financials of childcare.

Conclusion

At Mama Bear's Day Nursery, we view government-funded childcare options not just as a benefit but as a foundational support that allows families to access high-quality early years education for their children. We ensure that every child at Mama Bear’s has the best start in life, both educationally and socially, setting them up for success in school and beyond. Our commitment is to keep you informed, supported, and confident in the choices you make for your child’s early education.

Embracing Comprehensive Childcare Solutions at Mama Bear’s

Choosing the right childcare solution is pivotal for your child’s early development and your family’s well-being. At Mama Bear's Day Nursery, we don’t just offer childcare; we provide an environment where early learning flourishes in sync with each child’s unique pace. Our commitment to flexible childcare options, including full and half days and ad hoc sessions, ensures that families’s different schedules can be accommodated, making us a preferred choice for parents with diverse needs.

By integrating flexible care schedules with structured educational frameworks, we not only ease the logistical challenges of parenting but also contribute substantially to the developmental milestones of our children. Our day-to-day activities are designed to prepare your child for school with a focus on social, emotional, and academic growth, ensuring they transition smoothly into formal education with confidence and a love for learning.

At Mama Bear's, we are dedicated to maintaining transparent communication with parents, offering insights and support in navigating childcare funding, and enhancing the early years experience. Our doors are always open for parents to engage, learn, and find comfort in the knowledge that their children are cared for, valued, and understood.

Choosing Mama Bear means opting for an enriching, nurturing, and adaptive childcare environment that resonates with the aspirations you hold for your child’s future. We invite you to attend one of our open days to observe the care we offer or schedule a private appointment to learn more about how we combine development, fun, and care to ensure children develop a love for learning and socialising.

Additional Elements to Enhance the Mama Bear’s Experience

At Mama Bear’s Day Nursery, we believe in providing more than just basic childcare. We enrich our services with many additional elements that set us apart and ensure a comprehensive developmental experience for your child:

Customised Parent Communication:

We use communication tools to keep parents updated on their child’s progress, activities, and daily experiences. Our digital platforms allow for real-time updates and sharing of moments from your child’s day, ensuring you’re always connected to their developmental journey.

Nutritional Excellence:

Understanding the pivotal role of nutrition in early development, Mama Bear’s provides meals and snacks that are not only wholesome and tasty but also tailored to meet the nutritional needs of growing children. Our menus are designed by nutrition experts and include fresh, locally sourced ingredients to support healthy growth and development.

Advanced Safety Protocols:

Safety is paramount at Mama Bear’s. We employ state-of-the-art security systems and rigorous procedures to ensure the safety and security of all children in all our childcare settings. Our staff undergo regular training in safety protocols, emergency procedures, and first aid, making sure that every nursery is a secure environment.

Flexible Scheduling Options:

In addition to our standard full- and half-day sessions, we offer customisable scheduling options to accommodate the varying needs of families. Whether it’s extending care hours, adjusting days, or providing occasional care, we strive to meet the specific requirements of each family.

These additional elements are integral to our mission at Mama Bear’s Day Nursery, where we are dedicated to providing a nurturing, stimulating, and safe environment for every child.

Bristol

Clifton - Whiteladies Road

Tel: 0117 970 6751
enquiries@mamabear.co.uk

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Fishponds - Thicket Avenue

Tel: 0117 965 5096
enquiries@mamabear.co.uk

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Whitchurch Pre-school - Bristol Road

Tel: 01275 838 510
enquiries@mamabear.co.uk

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Shirehampton - Grove Leaze

Tel: 0117 982 3345
enquiries@mamabear.co.uk