Dear Parents/ Carers,

As part of the government’s 15- and 30-hour early education funding, we are required to clearly explain how we use the funding and why an additional fee is charged for children accessing these funded hours.

About the Funding

The government funding is intended to cover only the fundamental childcare element. It does not cover the full cost of providing high-quality early years education, nor does it include many of the essential services, resources, and consumables that we give every day.

Why We Charge an Additional Fee

To maintain the high standard of care and education your child receives, we apply a weekly charge of £38-40. This contribution enables us to continue offering a safe, nurturing, and well-resourced environment. The fee helps cover the following:

• Staffing and high adult-to-child ratios that exceed minimum requirements
• Meals, snacks, drinks, and any dietary-specific food
• Consumables, including nappies, wipes, gloves, sun cream, craft materials, baking ingredients, and cleaning products
• Educational resources and equipment, both indoors and outdoors
• Extra activities and enhancements, such as dance class, physical development sessions, and sensory or messy play materials
• Premises costs, including heating, lighting, maintenance, and insurance
• Safety and compliance, including fire checks, health and safety equipment, and regular training for staff

The government does not fund these items, and they are essential to maintaining the quality and breadth of experiences we offer.

Our Commitment

We remain committed to:

• Providing high-quality early education for every child
• Being transparent about how fees are used
• Ensuring our setting continues to be safe, engaging, and enriching

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the funding or the additional charge, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to help.

Thank you for your continued support.