Fees & Funding

We accept the 2 Year Old Funding for families receiving additional forms of support.
We accept the 15 hours funded childcare for all 3 and 4 Year Olds
We accept the Working parent entitlement for 3 and 4 Year Olds
We accept Tax-Free childcare payments.

For those children who opt out of funding we charge £6.75 per hour for three year olds and £8.00 per hour for two year olds. This can be paid by cash, bank transfer or childcare vouchers. We accept various childcare vouchers, alongside the HMRC childcare choices tax free payments.

We also charge a voluntary consumables fee of £1.00 per session on all our Funded places, this is a contribution to the cost of enhancements to the curriculum that benefit the children’s learning. It is a voluntary payment and non payment does not affect your right to access your funded hours.

What will my childcare cost me ?

To find out if your child’s fees will be covered by Funding then please visit www.beststartinlife.gov.uk to check your eligibility. However all children are entitled to 15 hours of Nursery Education Funding from the term after their third birthday.

Here at Little Meadow we open for 38 weeks of the year, other childcare providers may be open for 50 weeks.

Children must remain in the provision for a minimum of 2 weeks in order to be eligible for the funding. Please note that if you remove your child from the setting before the qualifying period, you will be liable for all costs incurred.

2 Year Old Funding for families receiving additional forms of support

Your 2 year old could be entitled to 15 hours a week free early learning childcare. You may be entitled to a free funded place if :

You meet the eligibility criteria also used for free school meals.
Your family receive Universal Credit
Your child has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Your child is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance.
They are in the care of the Local Authority, have left care through special guardianship order, child arrangements order or an adoption order.

For more information please contact your Health Visiting team.

15 hours funded childcare for all 3 and 4 year olds

You can start claiming funded early education from the term following your child’s 3rd birthday.

1st January and 31st March
April (Summer Term)
1st April and 31st August
September (Autumn Term)
1st September and 31st December
January (Spring Term)

Working Parent Entitlements for 3 and 4 year olds

Some working parents are eligible for an additional 15 hours funding on top of the Universal Funding.

To apply and find out more information and to check your eligibility please visit www.beststartinlife.gov.uk

If your child attends another setting you can split your funding and choose where to send it. Please contact the office for further details.

Fee Paying children

If you choose to opt out of funding or have a shortfall in hours Little Meadow will invoice you every half term.

Current fees are £6.75 per hour for 3 year olds and £8.00 per hour for 2 year olds

Voluntary and Additional Charges

All funded children are sent a Voluntary consumables invoice each half term for £1.00 per session.

This charge is completely voluntary and non payment does not affect access to any funded entitlement.

We also charge a £15.00 Registration fee to secure your child’s place before they start and is a contribution towards bookbags.