Government Funding Schemes 2025/26

Grant funding is subject to the terms of the LBHF. Nursery eligibility for funding is reviewed annually and therefore not promised indefinitely.

Whilst Government funding is available, please note this only covers the cost of the basic provision of childcare and the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Whereas we appreciate the benefit such funding gives to parents and would like to continue to offer this, it is not sufficient to cover the additional expenditures relating to the consumables and additional services our nursery offers in order to deliver the enriched learning experience we are so proud of. These services include, but are not limited to:

Meals and snacks
Consumables
Additional hours
Early starts
Enrichment activities (baking, art, school trips)
Extracurricular activities such as Tarka, French, Forest school, Music, Kids Fit Club, Teddy Tennis, Kindergarden and Little Dance Academy
Administration costs
Access to our Parent app
Learning topic themed extras

We therefore ask parents to contribute to these with our consumables charge, called an Extras and Essentials fee, during funded hours. This ensures that the quality of care and service we offer is protected for all our children and parents.

Extras and Essentials / Additional Services Fee:

Whilst this charge remains voluntary as per the new grant guidelines, if parents are unable to the pay the ‘Extras and Essentials' fee, then they will need to speak to the Head at point of registration to discuss further as there is both an operational and financial impact on the nursery when this is not paid.

Whereas we can offer Fully Funded, or Funded Entitlement Only (FEO) places, these are subject to availability and offered in a set booking pattern. This can be discussed further at point of registration.

3 – 4 YEAR OLD UNIVERSAL GRANT FUNDING 15 HOURS PER WEEK

No eligibility criteria. We will apply on your behalf in the term AFTER your child turns 3. We will require a copy of the parent declaration form and copy of the child’s birth certificate.

Universal Grant funding to deliver basic childcare and the EYFS for 15 hours per week is invoiced to parents @ £0.00

The pricing for the Extras and Essentials Package as described above to provide the highly trained staff with excellent adult to child ratios, our extracurricular and enrichment activities, a hot lunch provision, snacks plus consumables, is set out below. Early drop offs, School trips, Puppet shows, Smocks and bags, French and Tarka will be billed in addition when applicable as per our fees sheet.

EXTRAS AND ESSENTIALS PACKAGE RATES

5 MORNINGS: £3,123

5 MORNINGS plus 1 AFTERNOON inclusive: £3,668

5 MORNINGS plus 2 AFTERNOONS inclusive: £4,153

5 MORNINGS plus 3 AFTERNOONS inclusive: £4,588

5 MORNINGS plus 4 AFTERNOONS inclusive: £4,968

(Package rates includes a 2 course nutritious hot lunch provision Monday to Thursday calculated at £260 per term)

Totals reflect the selection per week for the whole term

3 – 4 YEAR OLD EXTENDED FUNDING CAPPED AT 30 HOURS PER WEEK

Subject to eligibility criteria. Families may be eligible for this scheme from the term after your child’s 3rd birthday. The responsibility lies with the parent to check with the borough for eligibility and to apply. If successful, the parent needs to provide the nursery with an eligibility code prior to the start of term and ensure the code remains valid each term. Visit Childcarechoices.gov.uk for more details.

The Extras and Essentials Package will be calculated depending on the number of hours applied for.

2 YEAR OLD WORKING FAMILY ENTITEMENT FUNDING UP TO 30 HOURS PER WEEK

Subject to eligibility criteria. The responsibility lies with the parent to check with the borough for eligibility and to apply. If successful, the parent needs to provide the nursery with an eligibility code prior to the start of term and ensure the code remains valid each term. Visit Childcarechoices.gov.uk for more details.