Key Information

What Walton Children's Centre has to offer

Our Statement of Aims

Managed by Scope whose core value is equality, Walton Children's Centre is a fully inclusive setting which provides services for children aged 0 to5 years and their families, and extended services for children up to 12 years. We recognise and embrace difference and diversity and believe that everyone should be treated with respect. Our aim is to establish a long term delivery of services that meets the social and economic needs of our customers; children, young people and their families, through the spirit of partnership, whilst giving every child the opportunity and support to reach their full potential.

Services at Walton Children's Centre

Walton Children's Centre is a one-stop shop bringing a range of services together within the community for children from birth to 5 years and their families,with extended services for children up to 12 years,including health, family support and ante-natal services for parents and carers. We are very keen to support the role of Fathers within our Centre and run a number of groups and activities designed specifically for them including gym sessions, football and running club in addition to our Dad's club where Dads can come and play with their children, meet others and have a chat. All services are free for everyone within the Warbreck district and beyond, with the exception of the daycare for which help can be gained through Working Families Tax Credits, and run not only during the week but some Saturdays and evenings too!!

Education and Childcare

Nursery

The nursery provides education with care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years and is open Monday - Friday from 8.00 am - 6.00 pm, 50 weeks per year.

All staff are qualified and experienced in delivering quality childcare and implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.The nursery offers a safe, secure stimulating environment that is welcoming and child orientated. We offer all children opportunities for learning and development by providing new and exciting play experiences and challenging activities. Children's assessments and records of progress are completed regularly by staff and a written report is produced annually for parents/carers.

The children and staff within the foundation stage room (3+) work closely with our teaching staff and link to local primary schools, including Northcote Primary, to ensure effective transistion and preparation for school. As an established Scope managed service the staff have extensive knowledge and experience of working with children with special educational needs including those children with complex needs. The setting actively promotes equality and inclusion providing continuous support for children with special educational needs and for those children for whom English is an additional/second language. Our admission policy covers a wide criteria including purchased and funded places. Full and part-time places are available in addition to wrap-a-round with pick-up from Northcote School, to meet the needs of local families.

If your child is aged 3 or 4 years old then you are entitled to receive free childcare sessions, until your child reaches statutory school age. This currently equates to five two-and-a-half hour sessions per week. For more information and to check specific eligibility please ring Liverpool Family Information Service (LFIS) on freephone 0800 085 2022.

The GAP - After School and Holiday Playscheme

The Gap offers a warm, safe and fun environment for children aged from 4 years to 12 years that is fully inclusive

During term time

offers an After School Club for children from 3.30 pm to 6.00 pm daily. Children are collected from Northcote Primary School or dropped off by school transport.

During holiday time

offers a Holiday Club for children aged 4 to 12 years. 8.00 am to 6.00 pm daily.

We encourage children to have an enjoyable and fun experience through play and the many activities provided.

Child and Family Health Services

Services provided at the centre include:

Funky Foods learn how to prepare healthy, nutrious low cost foods for your baby during these weaning sessions with practical demonstrations by Community Food Workers. Classes run every Wednesday between 10.00 am - 12.00 pm. Limited creche places also available. To book contact Jan at the centre.

Post-Natal Clinic run by Community Midwifes - drop-in session every Monday afternoon between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm. For babies upto 1 mth.

Drop-In Baby Clinic run by local Health Visitors for baby weighing and advice from your health practitioners - every Thursday afternoon between 1.30 pm and 3.00 pm.

Parent Education Class (ante-natal) regular sessions for parents to be run by Community Midwifes - takes place every Thursday evening between 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm. To book a place contact your midwife or the centre.

Baby Massage enjoy this special time with your baby. An activity designed to soothe and relax your baby whist helping with bonding. Classes are run by Kate and Jan, both qualified instructors every Wednesday between 1.30 pm - 2.30 pm (4 weeks).

Breast Feeding Support for new mums and mums to be. Advice and support with feeding issues available at this drop-in session run by Jan, every Monday between 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm.

Parent and Under 1's drop-in for mums and babies with advice and support from Community Nursery Nurses Chris and Lesley @ The Salvation Army Thursday morning 10.00 am - 12.00 pm.

Family Support and Community Outreach

Services provided at the centre include:

Dads Club group just for Dads to play with the children and share special time. Lots of fun to be had playing in child friendly environment with activities for all including sand, water, outside play, soft play and ball pool, sensory room. Held on Saturdays, once per month between 10.00 am - 12.00 pm (free breakfast!) Please contact centre for dates.

Stay and Play with Nicola every Tuesday morning between 9.30 am and 11.30 am. Your chance to meet other parents, carers and grandparents and chidren 0-4yrs in a friendly,relaxed environment- all welcome!

Me Time chat over coffee and cakes! Support group for parents and carers of disabled children in a friendly,welcoming, non-judgemental environment. Guest speakers and other activities arranged. Every Thursday morning between 9.30 am and 11.30 am with Vicky.

Playbox parent and toddler group where you can meet other parents and watch your children play and socialise with other children. Groups held every Wednesday and Thursday morning between 9.30 am - 11.00 am and Thursday afternoon 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm for under 2's @ The Salvation Army.

Story Time @ Rice Lane Library - stories and rhythms at the local Library with Jackie. Every Friday 10.00 am to 11.00 am. Followed by Sing & Sign 11.00 am to 11.30 am.

Young Parents Group - support for young mums and dads aged between 13 - 21 yrs. Every other Thursday, starting from 6th October 2011, between 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm.

Chatter Matters - Drop in sessions on a rolling programme for 0 - 3 yr olds. Fun activities, songs and rhymes for all the family with Jackie. Every Wednesday 1.15 pm to 2.15 pm.

Summer Fun @ Rice Lane Library - Fun activities, arts & crafts, songs and rhymes for all the family during the school holidays. Every Friday during Summer 2011 10.00 am to 12.00 pm.

Grandparents Stay & Play - Looking for something to do and somewhere to go? Why not join us at our stay & play sessions. Meet with other grandparents to share advice and ideas. Gain new ideas and learn new sdkills whilst having fun with your grandchildren. Every Friday 10.00 am to 12.00 pm, with Carina. Suitable for ages 0 - 5 yrs (no upper age limit for grandparents).

Childminder Network

A Childminder Network runs from Walton Children's Centre. This is a group of OFSTED registered childminders managed by a designated co-ordinator. Childminders are professional people who provide good quality home based childcare which meets the needs of the local community. The childminder support group hold their drop-in sessions at the Children Centre every Monday morning from 9.30 am to enable their minded children to have experience of group activities.

Job Centre Plus

Are you interested in work or training but worried about childcare or how it might affect your income? Come and meet Debbie our lone parent advisor from Aintree Job Centre who will be able to offer advice, help and support on

Finding a job
Looking for childcare
Identifying training opportunities
Understanding what financial help you may be entitled to.

To arrange an appointment please call the Centre on 233 6620.

Liverpool Family Information Service (LFIS)

This service provides free information on registered childcare provision within the area. LFIS is also working in partnership with Job Centre Plus to support people who want to go back into work or training. A new programme of support includes childcare chats to explain the different options available to you and up to five free taster sessions for parents who are eligible for New Deal for Lone Parents, New Deal for Partners and Employment Zone Recruitment Services. Contact them on 0800 085 2022

Help with Childcare costs

Many Parents remain unaware that they could be entitled to hundreds of pounds from the Government to help with childcare costs.

There are a number of options to help families with their childcare costs and taking advantage of what’s on offer from tax credits to childcare vouchers could save you £1,000s each year. A little bit of time is needed to check entitlements and how to apply, but it is worth it.

We have listed below details of benefits you may be entitled to and how to apply for them and other free services:

Tax credits for childcare

Parents who work 16 hours a week and using childcare that is Ofsted registered may be able to get up to 80% of their childcare costs back through tax credits, to a maximum childcare cost limit of £175 a week for one child and £300 a week for 2 or more children. This means that families can, depending on their income, get back up to £140 a week or £240 a week.

This help is available for any child from birth up to age 15, or age 16 if the child is disabled. As well as help with nursery costs, parents with school aged children can get help through tax credits to help pay for after school clubs – great news for families starting to save up to book their summer holidays.

For more informationabout how to claim call the tax credits helpline on 0845 300 3900 or your local Families Information Service on 0800 234 6346.

Childcare vouchers

Many employers, large and small, offer childcare vouchers. It allows you to pay for any Ofsted registered childcare, for children up to the age of fifteen, out of your pre-tax income. You can receive vouchers from your employer up to £55 per week or £243 per month without having to pay tax or National Insurance. The savings over a year can really add up - talk to your employer about what they offer. In addition, both parents can receive childcare vouchers from their employer even if you only have one child.

Clubs and activities at your local school

Throughout the year, many schools offer a range of activities for children, from sports coaching to dance and music sessions to drama classes. There are now over 14,000 extended schools across England which offer Ofsted-registered childcare, as well as breakfast clubs, homework and study support and a range of fun activities such as sports, music, drama and art. It is a safe and cost effective way to resolve your childcare needs and you can claim tax credits to pay for it.

To find out what’s on offer in your area, talk to your local school, call your local Families Information Service on 0800 2 346 346 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/childcare.

Free Early Learning for children aged 3 or 4

Every 3 and 4 year old can get a minimum of 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year in a range of places including Sure Start Children’s Centres, Nurseries, pre-schools and Childminders.

The first step to claim your free place is to call your local Families Information Service on 0800 2 346 346.

Questions & Answers

Q. Who can benefit from help?

A. All families with children aged 3 and 4 are eligible for free early learning and childcare for a minimum of 15 hours each week for 38 weeks a year. Liverpool are also piloting some free childcare for 2 year olds – check this with your Families Information Service. And if you are working at least 16 hours a week and paying for childcare then you may be able to get financial help through tax credits – depending on circumstances for families earning up to £40k

If you are a single parent looking to get back to work you could get free childcare through New Deal .

Couple families too look out for a new scheme – Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work. If one of you is not working but looking to go back to work you may be eligible for free childcare whilst you learn. This scheme starts in April – look out for the information from your FIS and local colleges

Q. How much can people get?

A. It depends on what you are earning – the average weekly award for the childcare element of tax credits is £68 therefore it is worth checking what you are eligible for as many families may be missing out on thousands of pounds a year.

Q. The help isn’t just available to parents with young children is it?

A. The financial help throughtaxcredits is not just limited to young children. Parents with older children can also use tax credits to help pay forchildcare. You just need to make sure you use childcare that’s Ofsted registered or delivered at school breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday clubs.

Q. Where can parents find out more?

A. Tax Credits: Call the tax credits helpline on 0845 300 3900 or local Families Information Service on 0800 2 346 346.

· Childcare vouchers: Talk to your employer about what they offer.

· Local clubs and activities: To find out what’s on offer in your area, talk to your local school, call your local Families Information Service on 0800 2 346 346 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/parents

Q. Who is eligible for working tax credits?

A. Tax credits are a payment from government and if you are working at lease 16 hours a week and pay for childcare then you may be able to get some financial help towards the cost of the childcare. Most families will get Child Tax Credit and if you get this at the higher rate and are working then check out the childcare element . Depending on your income, the number of children you have and the cost of the childcare you could get back up to 80% of the costs.

Q. Where can parents go for further information on childcare vouchers?

A. From their employer as the vouchers are paid via employers – there is information also at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ or call 0845 300 3900.

Q. Can grandparents claim childcare vouchers and/or tax credits to help pay for the costs of caring for children?

A . Grandparents can only claim if they registered with Ofsted as a childminder and caring for other children as well.

Q. As a sole trader can you award yourself childcare vouchers?

A. Childcare vouchers are only available to employed persons and not the self employed

Q. How do tax credits and childcare vouchers affect pensions?

A. If the employer requires a salary sacrifice agreement before providing vouchers then this can affect a person's pensionable earnings. Your employer may ask you to give up part of your salary in return for giving you some help with your childcare costs. This is often known as salary sacrifice and is where you agree with your employer to change the terms and conditions of your contract. This may have an effect on your pension and on maternity pay entitlements.

Q. What is the impact of tax credits and childcare vouchers on benefits claimed by parents?

A. Claiming working tax credit for childcare would not impact on benefits as the childcare element is only available for working parents.

Q. What is the best way to complete the tax credit application process?

A. Applications can no longer be done on line, only on paper form. An application pack needs to be ordered from HMRC and then go to http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ or call the helpline on 0845 300 3900 for further advice.

Q. How can parents ensure that their application is not flawed and that they won’t have to re-pay money paid to them?

A. The best advice is to accurately forecast your childcare costs and inform HMRC immediately if there are changes. Don’t be afraid to call 0845 300 3900 for help, advice and to update them with any changes in your circumstances.

Q. What would you say to parents who say that it is too complicated to fill in the tax credit forms?

A. It can take some time to fill in the form but it is worth it as the financial benefits can really mount up. There is also help availalbe and people can call the helpline on 0845 300 3900 for futher advice.

Q. How do childcare vouchers and tax credits affect each other?

A. If your employer provides you with childcare vouchers you will not have to pay tax and NICs on the 1st £55 a week or £243 a month. If you receive more than these amounts, tax and NICs are payable on the additional amounts. There will be a similar exemption when an employer contracts directly with an approved or registered child carer. These exemptions are available to all employees regardless of income

If you get childcare vouchers you will lose this amount from any claim you make for childcare via tax credits. But if you qualify on salary for a higher level of support for childcare costs than you get in vouchers you can claim the difference via tax credits. If you want to know whether you would be better off with tax credits or childcare vouchers, HM Revenue & Customs have put together a calculator online on their website.

Additional information

Many working families can get help with the costs of childcare through the childcare element of tax credits. The childcare element is linked to Working Tax Credit (WTC) and parents need to meet the eligibility for WTC before being able to claim the childcare element. There is a single claim for all aspects of tax credits

The childcare element is only payable when the childcare is registered by Ofsted – both on the Compulsory and the Voluntary Register. Provision that is registered is very varied and includes nursery schools, playgroups, day nurseries, out of school clubs, extended school clubs, breakfast clubs, holiday play schemes etc. There are lots of choices available.

If you're married or living with a partner you have to make a joint claim for tax credits. You can only make a single claim if you don't have a partner.

Tax credits are paid directly into your bank, building society, Post Office® or National Savings account if it accepts Direct Payment - either weekly or every four weeks.

To get the childcare element a lone parent must be working for more than 16 hours a week and paying for childcare and for couple families BOTH must be working for more than 16 hours a week and paying childcare costs.

Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit

Parents can claim up to a maximum of 80% of eligible childcare costs and maximum costs that are allowed to be claimed are £175 a week for 1 child and £300 a week for 2 or more children. This means that depending on household income, parents may be able to get up to a maximum of £140 a week for 1 child and £240 a week for 2 or more children.

There are 6 million families containing 10.1 million children who get help with tax credits or the equivalent through benefits

Of these families, just under 450,000 currently benefit from the childcare element of tax credits.

There are about 2.4 million working families who get more than the family element of child tax credit which is the eligibility trigger for claiming the childcare element

The average weekly award is £68.

During holiday periods, the cost of childcare may increase significantly for some families if their children spend longer with their childminder or if they attend a play scheme or other holiday provision.

It is important that parents account for the increased holiday costs of childcare when they first make a claim for tax credits.

8. If paying weekly, average costs can be calculated by taking the total amount paid for childcare in the last 52 weeks, including any increases in costs during the school holidays, weeks when no childcare costs were paid and any other increases or decreases in cost, and dividing the total amount by 52.

9. If paying monthly, the cost can be similarly calculated by taking the total amount paid for childcare in the last 12 months and dividing by 52. Any increases or decreases in cost must be included in calculations.

It is important that parents notify HMRC as soon as possible about any increases in cost as they may be able to get more money, but this needs to be done as soon as possible, because they can only backdate any increase in money for up to three months. The contact number is: 0845 300 3900. Lines are open 8am-8pm 7 days a week

Parents who get childcare vouchers from their employer may also be able to get some money for childcare costs through tax credits as well. It is worth checking this out using the childcare vouchers and tax credit calculator. This will allow you to work out if you are better off using vouchers or tax credits. You won’t get a precise figure but you will get a good idea of whether you will be better off with vouchers or tax credits. There is a useful question and answer sheet on the interaction between tax credits and vouchers at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/calcs/ccin.htm

Parents can also work out how much they may be able to claim by using the tax credits calculator on www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/calculator