Hartford
A breakfast and after-school club serves two local schools around Hartford. The service is popular, so call the setting for places. The holiday club also runs here for ages 4 to 11.
Parent information
Care, learning and the practical details
Paintpots follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, keeps parents close to each child's day, and looks after meals, security and funded hours with the same attention.
Children's activities
We support ongoing development through personal engagement, structured routines, free play, comfortable rooms for each age, and age-appropriate resources. The aim is communication, creativity, self-expression, curiosity, self-esteem and confidence.
Your child is assigned a key worker. Individual planning follows their needs and interests. We follow the seven areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage: communication and language, physical development, personal social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design.
Across the settings, children can also join language classes, swimming at local leisure centres, dance classes, community outings and visits to local care homes. Care is for children from 3 months to 5 years. Staff prepare children to be school-ready for reception. Manchester keeps in touch with schools across the North West. Hartford and Newall Green work more closely with nearby primary schools.
Good nutrition in the early years
Menus are reviewed because a balanced diet, and a positive experience of food, shapes later habits. Healthy eating is encouraged in several ways.
- Menus change across a four-week cycle so children meet new textures and tastes.
- Food is freshly prepared by an on-site qualified cook. Packaged foods with controversial colourings or preservatives are not used.
- Seasonal fruit and vegetables are offered, and fresh water is available all day.
- Mealtimes build hygiene, table manners, independence and social skills. Special diets have a suitable alternative.
Your child's security is our highest priority
Policies and procedures let children learn and play in a secure, relaxed environment. Experienced staff are trained to notice health and safety issues and act on them.
- Intercom systems at the main entrance of all three settings.
- Visitors are accompanied through secure coded doors to the child's room, supervised, and asked to show ID.
- A password is logged if a family member or trusted friend will collect your child.
- We release a child only to the nominated person with the password. An unexpected collector triggers a phone call to you.
Partnership with parents
Parents and carers need a clear view of development. Observations are recorded and shared, and you can add your own notes from home.
Blossom is the digital learning journey. Current parents and staff sign in through a secure app, protected in the same way as online banking with SSL encryption. You can see photos, video, sounds and artwork, follow progress against the EYFS, and read the two-year progress check.
Branches also use email and text. Emails can go to both parents. Texts cover urgent news such as a closure. A paper copy is available if email does not suit a family.
Childcare scheme options
Several options are open when a child starts with a registered provider. We recommend checking Childcare Choices to see what fits your family.
- Tax-Free Childcare. Up to £2,000 a year for each child, or up to £4,000 if they are disabled, through a childcare account.
- Universal Credit. Up to 85% of your childcare costs can be paid.
- 2 year old funding. 15 hours a week, term time only, where you are eligible.
- 3 and 4 year old funding. All 3 and 4 year olds in England can receive 15 hours a week in term time. Some families can receive 30 hours if they meet the eligibility rules.
After school and holiday club
We offer quality childcare and a friendly atmosphere beyond the nursery day at Hartford and Newall Green.
Newall Green
During half-term holidays and the summer, excluding Christmas, the holiday club offers a wide mix of activities. The nurseries have their own minibuses. Discounts depend on availability and bookings.