Statement of Intent
To inform prospective and current parents/carers and service users about charges that may be made.
Fees
Currently the hourly fee rate for a child attending Ladybird Pre-School Nursery is:
- £8.50 per hour for 18 month-23-month-old children
- £7.50 per hour for a two-year-old child
- £6.00 per hour for three- and four-year-old children.
Fees will be charged for all sessions booked and agreed with the Nursery. Fees will be charged for sessions even when a child is absent through sickness or holidays and will be made for sessions when the Nursery is unable to open short term (no more than a calendar month) due to circumstances beyond our control (e.g. extreme weather, flooding etc.) This is because the overheads of the Nursery such as staffing still must be covered. Should the Nursery be forced to close for an extended period due to circumstances beyond their control (more than a calendar month) then the Trustees will use their discretion regarding fee payment during this period of closure.
Registration Fee
We charge a £25.00 Registration Fee for any child wanting to register for a place at the Nursery. This charge is voluntary for children only accessing funded hours.
Funded Early Learning and Childcare
The Nursery is listed with Norfolk County Council as an approved provider for funded under twos, two-Year-olds and three- four-year-olds.
Government funding is intended to cover the cost of delivering 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high quality, flexible childcare only. It is not intended to cover the cost of meals, consumables, additional hours or additional services.
The funded entitlements will be delivered consistently so that all children accessing any of the funded entitlements will receive the same quality and access to provision, regardless of whether they opt to pay for optional hours, services, meals or consumables.
Each eligible under two, two-year-old and three- four-year-old child is entitled to a funded early learning and childcare place for up to 15 hours per week.
See https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ for more information.
In offering these funded early learning and childcare places the Nursery is committed to:
- Not requiring parents/carers to pay any fees for this funded entitlement.
- Not charging top up fees. Parents/carers will not be charged a top up fee to recover income where the Nursery’s hourly rate is greater than the rate received from Norfolk County Council.
- Not imposing conditions on parents/carers wishing to take up the funded entitlement.
- Agreeing to meet the conditions of the Early Education and Childcare Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities – April 2023 and the Early Years Entitlements: Operational Guidance for Local Authorities and Providers – June 2018.
Under Two-Year Old Funding
We offer 15 hours of under two-year-old funding for our ‘Rising Twos’ (18 – 23 months old) to those families who meet the criteria set by the Government from 9am – 12noon and 1pm – 4pm term time only and in line with local arrangements.
We offer 15 hours of two-year-old funding to those families who meet the criteria set by the Government from 9am – 12noon and 1pm – 4pm term time only and in line with local arrangements.
| A child born in the period | Will become eligible for a funded place |
| 1st April to 31st August | 1st September following child’s 2nd birthday (Autumn school term) |
| 1st September to 31st December | 1st January following child’s 2nd birthday (Spring school term) |
| 1st January to 31st March | 1st April following child’s 2nd birthday (Summer school term) |
Three- and Four Year Old Funding
The Nursery supports the entitlement to funded 15 and 30hours early years provision for three- and four-year-olds.
Universal funded 15 hours provision is available from the term following a child’s third birthday up until they reach compulsory school age, for every child, irrespective of background or family circumstances.
We offer 30 hours of three- four-year-old funding to those families who meet the criteria set by the Government.
We offer 15 hours Universal and the 30 hours for those who meet criteria from 9am – 12noon and 1pm – 4pm during term time and in line with local arrangements.
Regulations prescribe that children become eligible for funded early year’s provision on the dates set out below:
| A child born in the period | Will become eligible for a funded place |
| 1st April to 31st August | 1st September following child’s 3rd birthday (Autumn school term) |
| 1st September to 31st December | 1st January following child’s 3rd birthday (Spring school term) |
| 1st January to 31st March | 1st April following child’s 3rd birthday (Summer school term) |
Additional Options
In addition to this we offer a Breakfast Club from 8am – 9am and a Lunch Club from 12 noon – 1pm. We also offer an ‘Early Drop Off’ and ‘Late Pick Up’ option. Additional charges apply. These additional options are available for all rising twos, two-year-olds and three- and four-year-olds attending the Nursery.
| Rising Twos (18- 23 months) | Two-year-old | Three- and Four-year-old | |
| Breakfast Club 8am – 9am Breakfast included | £9.50 | £8.50 | £7.00 |
| Early drop off 8.30am – 9am Breakfast not included | £4.75 | £4.25 | £3.00 |
| Lunch club 12pm – 1pm Lunch not included pack lunch to be provided by parent/carer | £8.50 | £7.50 | £6.00 |
| Late collection 4pm – 5pm Booked in advance | £8.50 | £7.50 | £6.00 |
| Late collection Unauthorised | £3.50 per ¼ hour after booked session time. £5.00 per ¼ hour after closure of Nursery at 5pm. | £3.50 per ¼ hour after booked session time. £5.00 per ¼ hour after closure of Nursery at 5pm. | £3.50 per ¼ hour after booked session time. £5.00 per ¼ hour after closure of Nursery at 5pm. |
| Additional sessions Not funded by local authority | £25.50 | £22.50 | £18.00 |
Consumables
Parent/carers of funded children will be charged a voluntary consumables fee for each session their child attends. A session being 9am – 12 noon or 1pm – 4pm term time only. We currently charge a £1.50 per session fee. Consumable charge contributes towards snack, art and craft resources and personal care product (baby wipes and nappy sacks). There is the option to provide their child with his/her own snack and consumable items.
Services
Charges for additional services such as trips will be agreed in advance with families.
It may be possible to waive or reduce these costs, please discuss this with Emma Bailey, Nursery Manager.
Review of Fees
Fee charges will be reviewed annually and at other times should circumstances make this necessary. A half term’s notice will be given of any increase in fees allowing families the opportunity to discuss their options with the Nursey Manager.
Invoicing
Parents/carers will receive a written invoice detailing the services they are being charged over and above the funded weekly entitlement. This will be issued a month in advance.
Late Payment Fee
If payment has not been received within 14 days of the payment due date a reminder will be sent and a 10% late payment fee for the whole invoice will be incurred. Your child’s place may be put on hold until payment is received.
If parents/carers are experiencing financial difficulties:
In the first instance parents/carers should discuss alternative options with the Nurser Manager. Alternative options may include waiving or reducing costs, provide their own consumable items or where criteria is met attending fully funded sessions between 9am -12pm and 1pm -4pm.
We can also signpost parents/carers towards agencies who could offer support i.e. with benefit difficulties, debt management and financial advice.
Organisations who can offer free financial advice:
National Debt Line
0808 808 400
Citizens Advice Bureau
Working Tax Credit
Helpline: 0845 300 3900
If a parent/carer is experiencing financial difficulties and are struggling to settle their childcare fees, they should contact the nursery manager as soon as possible. A payment plan could be discussed as could reducing their child’s sessions as required. We will take all reasonable steps to try to support parents/carers.
Failure to pay childcare fees
If a parent/carer fails to pay their childcare fees and we cannot contact them verbally to discuss the matter, a letter will be sent requesting payment within two weeks or for contact to be made to discuss the matter urgently.
Failure to contact Ladybird Pre School-Nursery would result in further action being taken.
Ladybird Pre School-Nursery reserves the right to withdraw your child’s place and proceedings will begin to enable the collection of debt. Ladybird Pre School-Nursery reserves the right to appoint a debt collection agency or to pursue the debt through a small claims court. Any legal fees incurred by Ladybird Pre School-Nursery during this process could also be added to the total outstanding.
Terms and Conditions
A statement of terms and conditions relating to the contract between the parent/carer and the Nursery will be issued to the parent/carer before their child starts Nursery. The parent/carer will sign and date this document to confirm they have read and accept the terms and condition
Support for Childcare Costs
Parents/carers may be able to access a range of tax benefits and grants to support childcare costs. Parents/carers can enquire at the Nursery office for further details. Our charging policy is issued to all families as part of the registration process. It is also available on our website, or a hard copy can be requested.
