Parent hub : Fees and funding

We want every family to feel confident about the cost of nursery care and the support available to help with fees.

Below is a summary of our fee structure, funding options, and how to contact us for help.

Fees are based on:

• the nursery (each has its own fees)
• your eligibility to receive funding
• the number of days attended

We have two sets of fees per nursery:

• BHFT fees for families where one or more parents in a family work for Berkshire Healthcare 
• Nursery fees for all other parents

We offer full-day sessions only, with a minimum attendance of 2 days per week (maximum 10 hours per day).

Three funding options are available (see below).

Fees are charged monthly in arrears. You’ll receive your invoice towards the end of each month.

• View our fees and funding documents

Option 1

Partly free hours and partly paid hours based on a 10-hour nursery day. Children can attend for less than 10 hours per day, but the cost will be the same. 

Option 2

Fully paid. (Where children are not entitled to receive any funding.)

Option 3

A free place.

• For children entitled to receive 15 hours funding, this is attendance on two days from 9.30am to 3pm.
• For children entitled to receive 30 hours funding, this is attendance on three days. Days 1 and 2 are 9am to 4.30pm, and day 3 is 9am to 4pm.

Deposit

A deposit equal to one month’s fees is required for paid places. This is refundable when your child leaves the nursery.

No deposit is required for free places.

Tax-Free Childcare (TFC)

• Pay 80% of your fees into your TFC account and the government tops up the remaining 20% up to a maximum of £500 per quarter or £2,000 per child, per year.
• You can use both funding and Tax-Free Childcare if eligible.

Sibling discount

• 9.5% discount for the older sibling.
• For twins/triplets, the discount is split evenly.

Government funding

• 15 and 30 hours funded childcare is available for eligible children the term after turning 9 months old.
• Some 2-year-olds may be eligible for 15 hours if parents receive certain benefits.
• All children are entitled to 15 hours from the term after their third birthday.
• Funding is 'stretched' over 51 weeks (instead of 38 term-time weeks), which means the funding provides 11 or 22 hours per week.
• The Best Start in Life website provides information about all the schemes available to parents – check your eligibility and apply.

• Visit the Best Start in Life website

15 and 30 hours funding

Your child may be eligible to receive funding based on your personal circumstances and their age.

You will need to complete a parent declaration form for all funding accessed at our nurseries. This will be sent to you once a place is offered to your child.

Our nurseries operate on term start dates of:

• 1 April
• 1 September
• 1 January.

However, places are offered on a monthly basis.

To be eligible for the 30 hours funding, applications must be submitted via the Best Start in Life website by the term cut-off dates:

• 31 March
• 31 August
• 31 December

The 'Frequently asked questions' (FAQs) page on the Best Start in Life website explains more about the funding, including:

• which entitlements you may be able to use
• how and when to apply
• termly deadline dates
• application and access dates while on parental leave

• Read the 15 and 30 hours funding FAQs: Read the 15 and 30 hours funding FAQs

Childcare Service helpline

If you need help with applying for the 15 or 30 hours funding or Tax-Free Childcare, you can call the helpline on 0300 123 4097 or use the HMRC's digital assistant.

• Visit the Childcare Service helpline page on GOV.UK: Visit the Childcare Service helpline page on GOV.UK

• Tax-Free Childcare payments
• Bank transfer
• Standing order 
• Electronic childcare vouchers