Funding and Fees

Our session times are 9am - 12pm and 12pm - 3pm with facilities for children to stay all day, if you wish. 

Please contact us for our most up to date fees. 

The pre-school is registered to accept Extended, Universal and 2 year old Local Authority (LA) Funding for registered and eligible 2, 3 and 4 year olds.

Local Authority Parent Declaration Forms will be submitted by the preschool on your behalf. Parents / carers must review and sign their child’s form at the beginning of each term.  Failure to do so will result in a delay in funding and you will be responsible for ensuring that the session fees are paid until the funding comes through.

2 year old funding:

We accept children who are eligible for 2 year funded provision. From April 2024, there are 2 routes which you may be eligible. You are able to check with Central Bedfordshire Council to see the eligibility criteria and make an application at:

https://cbc.cloud.servelec-synergy.com/SynergyFIS/2yofunding.aspx

Alternatively you may be eligible for via an application:

https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

If you are eligible you must provide us with your eligibility code as soon as possible.

3 and 4 year old funding:

Your child will be eligible for funding the term after their third birthday. A funded place entitles your child for up to 15 universal hours each week during term time.

30 hour funding for 3 and 4 year olds:

We also accept 30 hours funding if we have spaces available. You maybe eligible for additional 15 extended hours per week if you qualify for the 30 hours government funding (https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/).

Funding codes

If you are eligible for the extended offer you must let us have your eligibility code together with your National Insurance Number prior to the start of the term for which the extended offer applies.

You will be responsible for renewing the code when the HMRC send you reminders.  If the code expires, then you will be liable for all sessions over any universal entitlement if applicable.

Sustainability Contribution Fee 

We charge a voluntary contribution fee per funded pre-school session which is invoiced each month.  This money is spent on consumables such as snack for each session, activities provided by external groups, trips out, cooking ingredients, planting and gardening resources, wipes, nappy cream, nappy sack and nappy disposal, sun cream, an online learning journal, yoga and added resources activities we use to support your children in setting.  

Funded Morning Session (9am to 12pm) - £3 per session

Funded Afternoon Session (12pm to 3pm) - £3 per session

Funded All Day - £6 per day.

Children who are entitled to Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP), and an eligibility code for 2 year old funding under additional support with proof of eligibility from the relevant Local Authority will receive a discount to the fees.

Parents who opt of paying the fees are responsible for providing their child with a fresh fruit or vegetable for each session, for a day session (9am to 3pm), this means 2 snacks. They will also be responsible for providing all items such as wipes, sun cream and resources for the enhanced activities planned. Without payment we unable to provide access to the online learning journal.

Why do settings need to charge a contribution fee?

https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/problem-free-childcare-interactive-explainer-parents-and-carers

Home Visit and starting fee (Acorn Pre-School):

There is a fee of £25.00 which is charged for the home visit by keyworkers prior to starting for you and your child to meet staff in a familiar environment, staff can get to know your child and it gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. It also covers paper copies of key information, preparation & completion of funding forms during the time your child is with us inc. funding code reminders. This is charged at the point of being offered a space and provisionally agreeing sessions. An invoice and registration forms will be sent, on completion of registration forms and payment of the invoice, your child’s booking and sessions will be confirmed. This is a non refundable fee.

Fee Payments

Fees are payable each month, within the first 10 days of each month. Fees continue to be payable if a child is absent, but in cases of prolonged absence, parents should consult with the office.  One half term’s notice (6 term weeks) is required before a child stops attending Pre-School.  

If a child should be withdrawn from attending Pre-School at short notice, the parent/carer will be required to pay for those sessions booked for that child until the end of that half term.  For funded children, this will result in being charged the unfunded rate for the notice period, funding can not be claimed for a notice period where the child is not in attendance. 

Tax Free Childcare

The Government-backed Tax-Free Childcare scheme essentially gives eligible families 20% off childcare costs. You open an online Tax-Free Childcare account and the Government adds 20p for every 80p you pay in. For more information refer to: (https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/)

Childcare Vouchers:

Childcare voucher schemes closed to new applicants in October 2018, if you are already a member we are registered to accept payments from all the major providers.

You can also pay bank transfer or by prior agreement cash.