Funding from September 2026
From September 2026, your child could be entitled to up to 30 hours funded childcare a week, term time only (38 weeks).
To check your child’s eligibility and to apply for funding (if you’re not claiming already), please visit beststartinlife.gov.uk/
Due to government changes, the way we deliver your child’s funded hours will change. Funded sessions will be between 9am and 4pm. These hours will be offered completely free of charge, in compliance with the Department for Education’s (DfE) new guidance.
Any hours accessed outside of these times will be charged at our hourly rate of £5.50 per hour (as of 1st September 2026). This rate will be subject to review and is likely to increase every September.
Example
8am – 9am = £5.50
9am – 4pm = £0.00
4pm – 6pm = £11.00
Total: £16.50 per day
The implementation of these funding changes has had a significant impact on my business. I will be issuing new contracts in August for you to sign.
Please remember that the funding is for term time only. School holidays are not covered.
Stretched Funding
Stretching your funding means less funded hours per week, but for a longer period of time.
If your child is entitled to 30 hours per term week, that means they have a pot of 1,140 hours to use that funded year.
We are open 46 weeks of the year, so: 1140 ÷ 46 = 24.50 hours per week.
This means you can access 24.50 hours per week for 46 weeks, allowing you to avoid large school holiday childcare bills.
Child attends 8am – 6pm
8am – 9am = £5.50
9am – 3pm = £0.00
3pm – 6pm = £16.50
Total: £22.00 per day
(Whilst this looks more expensive at first glance, remember you won’t have to pay your daily rate for 10 hours a day during holidays)
Please let me know if this is something you would like to do. I will need to know by the 1st September each year.
Current Session Fees
| Session | Hours | Daily Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Full Day | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM | £65 |
| Morning Session | 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM | £35 |
| Afternoon Session | 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM | £35 |
Additional Information
Renewing of Funding Codes
You will be sent an email by the government every 3 months to renew your funding code. It is your responsibility to do so. Should you allow your code to lapse, you will be invoiced and liable for all hours accessed at my hourly rate.
Additional Charges
Historically, I have never charged for things like wipes, suncream, food, snacks etc. I have no intention of starting to do so. However, on “big” days out (e.g. to the beach), I may ask you for a voluntary contribution for things such as entry to a theme park or ice creams. This is totally voluntary and your child’s participation is not dependent on payment.
Notice Period
In line with your current contract, my notice period is and will remain 4 weeks (after the first month). It will NOT be covered by NEF, and you will be responsible for paying the notice period in full.