What is Emergency Childcare?

Emergency Childcare allows you to book an emergency nursery place for your child(ren) when your regular childcare is unavailable.

Childcare services can be booked for whenever you need back up care - today, tomorrow or in 3 months time on a day-at-a-time basis. You can book a nursery place as late as 30 minutes before the nursery opens, as long as there is availability.

Each nursery updates their own spaces, so each nursery will be able to see immediately if places are available.

Why would I need to use the service?

Whether it's a last minute panic booking or a pre-emptive solution booked well in advance, we provide the choices parents need. Parents can be confident that your child is in the best possible hands.

How does the service work?

Initially you will need to contact the nursery of your choice to check availability and book your emergency childcare session(s):

Little Achievers Day Nursery, Ribbleton Preston PR2 6BJ tel 01772 704664
Little Achievers @ Ribbleton Children’s Centre, Ribbleton, Preston, PR2 6EE tel 01772 794846
Little Achievers @ Headstart Nursery, Preston, PR1 3QU tel 01772 201004
Headstart Nursery and Pre-School, Bow Lane, Preston, PR1 8ND (city centre) tel 01772 561973
Little Achievers @ CountryFields Nursery, Ramsgreave, Blackburn, BB1 9DQ tel 01254 246712

Second you need to register at the nursery setting. Our form is detailed, but easy to complete and contains all the relevant information on your child(ren). This ensures the emergency childcarer you book has all of the details they need to provide the highest level of care. You only need to register once at the setting. Registration can be completed when you attend the setting for your childcare.

We strongly recommend that you take the time to register prior to needing the service - this allows you time to investigate the different options available to you so you feel comfortable with the provision should you experience a childcare breakdown with your current childcare provider.

Is there a registration charge?

How can I be assured of the quality of the childcare?

The quality of the childcare we offer is paramount and that is why:

All our nurseries are Ofsted registered (with at least a "satisfactory" grade)

What's the latest time I can book for that day?

You can book a nursery place as late as 30 minutes before a nursery opens, as long as there is availability.

How do I know that the childcarer has all the information they need?

Whilst developing the registration form, we have worked very closely with key childcare professionals, working within Ofsted guidelines to ensure all the correct information is collected.

Even so, if there is time before the booking commences the nursery manager will take the time answer any questions you might have and gather any further information about your child you deem relevant.

What if my child needs specific medication?

All information regarding illnesses and medication should be recorded in the relevant sections on the registration and medication form. We do recommend that you talk through your child's requirements during booking.

What if my child has a problem settling in at a nursery?

All of the nursery nurses involved in Emergency Childcare are highly trained and experienced carers. If, in their professional opinion, your child isn't settling in they will contact you and arrange pick up arrangements. Under these circumstances 50% of your fee will be refunded to you. We already provide emergency childcare for police, probation, various charity organisations and the local authority.

What are the daily nursery prices?

Each nursery will provide you with the cost of the emergency childcare required, depending on your needs. Emergency childcare is in line with our normal nursery fees – there is no additional charge.

Are there any additional costs?

Meals and snacks will be charged for if hourly emergency childcare is required.

What if I need to cancel my booking?

Please contact the nursery direct to cancel the booking.

Can I use my childcare vouchers to pay for childcare?

You can pay for nursery spaces with your childcare vouchers via Emergency Childcare.

We work with the main childcare voucher providers. If you have the following vouchers you can use them to pay for nursery spaces: Accor Services, Allsave, care-4, agramin and Sodexho Pass.

Visit www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk childcare for more information.