Early Education Funding, meal expenses and private fees
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BEARS HIDEAWAY FOR ‘FREE’ FUNDING AND PAYMENTS FOR PRIVATE CHILDCARE
Opening Hours
Bears Hideaway Day Nursery is open 50 weeks per year, Monday to Thursday from 8am - 6pm. The nursery is closed on Fridays, all bank holidays, one week during the summer, and over the Christmas period.
Early Education Funding
Any funded hours are free at the point of access however hours over the funded allowance are chargeable as per our private fees.
• All children aged 3+ years are entitled to up to 11.5 hours per week of universal stretched funding, regardless of income.
• 2 year olds who are not eligible for Working Parent funding may qualify for Two’s Too funding.
• Eligible working parents may access up to 23 hours per week AT BEARS HIDEAWAY (other settings vary) of extended stretched funding from 9 months to 5 years of age.
• Funding for children aged 4 is reduced by the local authority during the child’s final term before starting school.
Daily Rates (Non-Funded Children and extra days)
Fees include all meals during this period.
• 0–2 years: £88.00
• 2–3 years: £87.00
• 3+ years: £86.00
Ad-hoc hours are charged at £10 an hour
Food and Package Options
Bears Hideaway have always offered cooked meals for the long days the children attend, believing that it is important for children to have a hot meal in the day.
The government guidelines state we MUST now allow parents to choose our food or bring their own, therefore families accessing funded hours can choose either:
• Nursery meals, or
• Food from home (strict conditions apply; see our “Bringing Food from Home” policy).
Parents paying for private hours have nursery meals included and cannot provide food from home.
Meal choices must remain consistent across all booked days.
Meal Expense Charges
DAY TOTAL BREAKFAST LUNCH SNACK TEA
8am – 6pm £11 £2 £4 £2 £3
Extra Resource Contribution
The government guidelines state we MUST ensure any extras we may charge for are voluntary. Families can decide if they wish to pay £4 per day towards enhancing resources not covered by standard EYFS funding so that children can continue to use these spaces over the years - nature garden maintenance and resources, outdoor maintenance to undercover area and soft flooring, improvements to other resources, 6 seater pushchair funds to name but a few**.
*** I would also like to make you aware the Government rates are at least 40% (statistical) lower than private nursery rates and for Bears Hideaway, the biggest issue is the STAFF WAGES where the Government funding ONLY covers for the NMW. The staff looking after your most precious possession deserve much more - we pay a lot higher but this is being compromised with poor funding. You can support this**
Package Options
Full Day – Inclusive Package
For families using full-day childcare and agreeing to pay meal expenses, extra resource contributions, and private hours.
• 8.00am – 6.00pm
• 2 days: 20 funded hours
• 3 days: 23 funded hours + 7 private hours
• 4 days: 23 funded hours + 17 private hours
• Meal expenses: £11 / day
• Extra resource contribution: £4 / day
Full Day – Meal Only Package
• Same hours and funded / private hour structure as above
• Meal expenses: £11/day
Full Day – Extra Resource Only Package
• Same hours and funded / private hour structure as above
• Extra resource contribution: £4 / day
• No meals provided — all food must be brought from home
“Free” Basic Day Package
Available with no additional cost to parents.
• 8.00am – 6.00pm
• All hours funded
• No meals provided — all food must be brought from home
We only operate full days - any remaining hours on the third day can only be used if parents pay for an additional 7 private hours, or alternatively, funding may be claimed for two days only.
Children must attend a minimum of two full days per week.
