Funding & Fees
Universal 15-hour funding
Currently, all 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours per week during term time of free childcare, up to a maximum of 570 hours per year. At Little Acorns your child can enjoy 15 hours of quality educational learning through play each week and this is available to you from the term after your child’s 3rd birthday.
• Children born 1st January to 31st March – funding will start from April
• Children born 1st April to 31st August – funding will start from September
• Children born 1st September to 31st December – funding will start from January
These sessions may be distributed over the week as you require subject to availability.
It is our recommendation that every child will come for a minimum of 2 sessions over 2 separate days for ease of settling in and routine.
You can share your government funded provision between two nursery settings. You can also purchase additional hours/sessions and your child may attend up to ten sessions a week.
All sessions are subject to availability and will be awarded according to our Admissions Policy which is available to view in full on the school website.
Any hours in addition to those funded for your child to attend will be acharged at £9 per hour. You will be charged if your child does not attend due to illness or any other reason.
*We can provide a hot or cold meal for your child through the school’s provider Chartwells Catering Service at a further cost of £3.06 per meal. Childcare vouchers cannot be used to purchase food.
Additional Funding Available
30-hour provision
We have limited places available to children of families who are eligible for the 30 hours funded childcare. Parents will need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for the funding and will need to apply for funding themselves. For more information and to check eligibility please visit the government website. www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
2 Year-Old Funding
Working families with 2 year olds are eligible to claim 30 hours funded childcare. Families must apply through www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and receive an 11 digit voucher code. Funding can be claimed the term after your child turns 2:
• Children born 1st January to 31st March – funding will start from April
• Children born 1st April to 31st August – funding will start from September
• Children born 1st September to 31st December – funding will start from January
If eligible, parents will be given an eligibility code to share with us. Once recieved, we will be able to confirm your funded childcare with us. These sessions/hours may be distributed over the week as you require subject to availability.
Please note that parents will need to re-check their eligibility every 3 months. If your circumstances change and you are no longer eligible to receive the full 30 hour funded childcare you will enter a period of grace when we can discuss your options with you.
Families in receipt of additional support (FRAS, formally disadvantaged 2 yr olds) are entitled to 15hrs childcare, per week for 38 weeks, per year.