Funding details

All funded hours are stretched over 51 weeks, as we close for one week over Christmas and New Year. This allows families to evenly distribute their hours across the year, rather than being limited to school term dates. Our standard fee rates include all food and consumables.

We understand that covering the cost of childcare can be challenging, especially in today’s financial climate. To help ease the burden, the UK government offers a range of funded childcare schemes. We’re here to support you in navigating these options and have outlined the available funding opportunities to help you find out what support your family may be entitled to.

1. 15 Hours Free Childcare for 2-Year-Olds
Some families with 2-year-old children may be eligible for 15 hours of free childcare per week (for 38 weeks per year). Eligibility is usually based on income or benefits received.

2. 15 Hours Free Childcare for All 3 and 4-Year-Olds
All children aged 3 and 4 are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week (for 38 weeks per year), starting from the term after their third birthday.

3. 30 Hours Free Childcare for 2,3 and 4-Year-Olds
Working parents of 2, 3 and 4-year-olds may be eligible for an additional 15 hours per week (totalling 30 hours). To qualify, both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent household) must be working and earning the equivalent of at least 16 hours a week at minimum wage.

4. Tax-Free Childcare
This scheme allows eligible working families to get up to £2,000 per child, per year (or up to £4,000 for a child with a disability) towards childcare costs. For every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2.

5. Universal Credit for Childcare
If you’re working and on Universal Credit, you may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs, up to a maximum of £951 per month for one child or £1,630 for two or more children.

Funded Hours allocation

• Funded hours are evenly spread across your child’s scheduled days and allocated at the start of each session.
• If your child’s attendance exceeds their funded hours, extra hours are billed (see charges below)
• Once days are set and funding allocated, they cannot be adjusted mid-term.

Funded Hours – Voluntary Contributions

While government funding covers the educational aspect of
your child’s place, it does not include additional costs such as meals, snacks,
cookery, or extra-curricular activities. To help us continue
offering these valuable services, we kindly ask for a voluntary contribution
towards these extras.

Charges FROM APRIL 2026:

• Morning snack: £1.95
• Full cooked lunch with dessert: £3.45
• Afternoon snack: £1.95
• Afternoon tea: £3.10
• Weekly cookery class: £1.75*
• Extra-curricular activities: £2.95 per session*
• Hourly rate: £10 per hour for additional hours (outside of funded entitlement hours)

*Children receiving ‘Early Learning for 2 year olds’, accessing funded only hours or a child receiving EYPP only; cookery class and extra-curricular activities are complimentary.

Your support enables us to maintain a rich and enjoyable learning environment for all children. Thank you for your understanding.

If you have any questions or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to speak to the manager on
01277 212580.