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Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries Ltd.
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      • Academy Gardens Nursery
      • Acton Park Nursery
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Healthy Eating at Nursery

At Hungry Caterpillars healthy eating is not just about what we put on the children’s plate each day. It’s about educating the children and giving them the knowledge and independence to make healthy choices that we hope, will last for the rest of their lives.

"We have a huge responsibility to make sure the food served is of the best quality"

For some children, who attend daily, nursery meals make up the majority of their weekly nutritional intake. This is a massive responsibility whether it is one meal a week or ten! Therefore we aim to ensure that everything the children eat is of the best quality, our menus are nutritionally balanced and above all the children enjoy their food. We feel passionately about this and therefore follow the respected "Children’s Food Trust" guidance on promoting and supporting healthy eating in early years and guarantee that the food we serve your children is high quality, freshly prepared and nutritionally balanced.

We are really lucky to have a team of talented and passionate Chef’s working with us to create these fantastic meals for the children. Our chefs love coming up with new ways to excite the children with food and even enjoy getting out of the kitchen and into the nursery to cook with them!

Specific Dietary Requirements

We assure you that all of your child’s dietary needs will be met whilst they are at nursery. Our staff and Chefs are fully trained to understand the specific dietary requirements of different aged children, as well as those with allergies or cultural preferences. Our daily menus include a vegetarian option and cooking from fresh means all meals can be easily adapted to meet the needs of individual children.

Healthy Packed Lunches at Nursery

Some children attending funded sessions can opt out of cooked lunch/tea at nursery. It’s vital for those children that the food provided from home meets with our healthy eating guidance. Our aim is for all children to benefit from eating a healthy and well balanced diet. More information and guidance on healthy packed lunches is available from the Children’s Food Trust at: http://media.childrensfoodtrust.org.uk/2016/03/CFT-PackedLunch-FSM.pdf

Drinks at Nursery

Children have access to water throughout the day as well as at meal times. Milk is served to all children at breakfast time. Babies are catered for in line with their age and individual needs.
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You may be entitled to claim 570 hours funded childcare per year from the government for your 2-year-old. We spread this funding throughout 51 weeks of the year to provide consistency for your child and your family, receiving 11.18 hours per week.

You will have access to this funding the term after your child turns 2.

Procedures to apply for 2-year-old funding differ across Local Authorities. You should speak to your Health Visitor, Nursery Manager or look online at your Local Authority website.

You may be able to receive an additional 570 hours per year on top of the funded entitlement if your child is 3 to 4 years old and you are working parents. This means that with the additional funding, eligible children will receive up to 1,140 hours funded childcare per year. We spread this funding throughout 51 weeks of the year to provide consistency for your child and your family, receiving 22.35 hours per week.

All funded childcare starts the term after your child’s 3rd birthday.

To check eligibility for 30 hours funded childcare, you will need to visit: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. 

You may be able to receive 570 hours per year if your child is 9 months to 3 years old and you are a working parent/carer. We spread this funding throughout 51 weeks of the year to provide consistency for your child and your family, receiving 11.18 hours per week.

All funded childcare can be claimed from the term after your child turns 9 months or 2 years old.

To check eligibility for 15 hours funded childcare, you will need to visit: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. 

 

All 3 to 4-year-olds in England are eligible for 570 funded hours per year up until the term that they start Reception or reach compulsory school age (the term following their 5th birthday). There are no earning or work requirements. We spread this funding throughout 51 weeks of the year to provide consistency for your child and your family, receiving 11.18 hours per week.

You will have access to this funding the term after your child turns 3 (see table)

Your child is automatically entitled to 15 hours funded childcare the term after their third birthday; you do not have to do anything to receive this funding as your chosen childcare provider will do it for you. If you have any questions or queries, your Nursery Manager will be able to help.

 

Hungry Caterpillar Locations

Buckinghamshire

Chalfont St Peter Nursery

High Wycombe Nursery

West London

Academy Gardens Nursery

Acton Park Nursery

Hanwell Nursery

Hathaway Nursery

Northolt Nursery

Perivale Nursery

West Twyford Nursery

General Enquiries

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Current Vacancies

          All Vacancies are Full Time (40 hours per week) unless otherwise stated

            Vacancies marked with an asterisk (*) also come with up to £500 New Starter bonus* (T&C’s apply) 

          Current Vacancies

          All Vacancies are Full Time (40 hours per week) unless otherwise stated

            Vacancies marked with an asterisk (*) also come with up to £500 New Starter bonus* (T&C’s apply) 

         

Academy Gardens, UB5

– Early Years Practitioner*

-Nursery Room Leader*

 

Chalfont, SL9

– Chef

– Early Years Practitioner*

– Nursery Room Leader*

 

Acton Park, W3

– Early Years Practitioner*

 

High Wycombe, HP11

– Early Years Apprentice

– Early Years Practitioner*

 

Hanwell, W7

– Early Years Practitioner*

 

Northolt, UB5

– Early Years Practitioner*

 

Stanburn, HA7

– Early Years Apprentice

 

West Twyford

– Early Years Practitioner*

 

All Sites

– Nursery Bank Worker

 

 Apply Now
Hungry Caterpillars

Benefits

Caterpillar Benefits

At the heart of Hungry Caterpillars is our incredible team who we value and offer:

  • Competitive salary package with performance related reviews
  • 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
  • Your birthday off work, fully paid, to relax! (T&C’s apply)
  • Annual attendance reward with additional days holiday for great attendance
  • Staff pension with a company contribution going into your pot
  • Up to 50% off of childcare fees from day one (T&C’s apply)
  • Free staff Uniform
  • Bupa Health Care package
  • ‘The Caterpillar Academy’ – Five, fully paid, company training days each year
  • ‘Future & Developing Leader Program’ – year long training course for future leaders
  • Online training portal with over 100 courses for your development
  • Fantastic opportunities for career progression with internal promotions supported
  • ‘Superstar Awards Day’ held annually to celebrate individual and team achievements
  • More time with the children – online tracking system & planning in the moment
  • Refer a friend bonus of £500 (T&C’s apply)

Love Learning

Love Learning

Our role is to inspire children to love learning now and in the future.  That is a big responsibility but one we embrace.

We do this through our beautiful environments, fantastic outdoor areas, forest school program, planning in the moment and a passion to inspire curiosity, wonder and awe in each and every child.

Passionate Educators

Passionate Educators

At Hungry Caterpillars we recruit based on positive attitude and passion for early years. We couldn’t do what we do without our fantastic team.

Each educator shares their enthusiasm, laughter, smiles and fun with the children, creating a happy environment for learning and preparation for the future.

Our educators are all unique individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, which we celebrate as it adds to the rich tapestry of learning we are able to offer.

Family First

Family First

As parents first Tim and Olivia, the founders and owners, understand how vital choosing the right nursery is, for you and your child.

Hungry Caterpillars exists in response to their own family’s childcare needs, 20 years ago, and continues to be a family run nursery group with family values at its core.

Our aim is to care and educate children as though they were our own, always asking would we want it for our own children.

Success stories

Success Stories

At Hungry Caterpillars, we believe in developing our future leaders from within, working with you to achieve your career ambitions.

Thanks to our fantastic training and development opportunities, we have many Caterpillar Success Stories!

Caterpillar apprenticeships

Caterpillar Apprenticeships

Our Caterpillar Apprenticeships are a fabulous opportunity to ‘earn whilst you learn’, gaining your Level 3 Diploma and experience working alongside our qualified team in a busy bustling nursery environment.

During your training, you get a personal tutor, designated study time and access to our training portal with over 100 courses, 5 fully paid annual training days and the support of your mentor. 

We also offer a free NUS Apprentice Card with discounts at 100s of shops and restaurants!

Training & development

Training & Development

At Hungry Caterpillars, we believe in giving our team every opportunity to develop their skills and progress in their career.

  • We will support you to achieve your Early Years Level 2, 3 Qualification & beyond
  • Caterpillar Academy – five fully paid annual training days
  • Future & Developing Leadership Programme – for all staff who want to develop their leadership skills & progress in their career.
  • Online training – anytime access to over 100 courses
  • Forest School Training, Professional conferences, external training & much more!