1.Introduction

This policy sets out how Mother’s Pet Nursery manages the payment of fees, funded hours, and additional charges. It ensures fairness and transparency for all families and helps us provide high-quality early years education and care. This policy follows local authority guidance.

2. Fees & Sessions

• Nursery fees are payable Monthly in advance.
• Fees apply to all booked sessions, whether attended or not (including absence due to illness or holidays).
• Fees are reviewed annually; parents will be given at least one month’s noticeof any changes. Any fee increase or revision will always be communicated to parents in writing before the start of the term in which the change takes effect.

3. Funded Early Education (FEE)

Funded early education hours are provided free at the point of delivery. Parents are not required to pay any mandatory charges to access their funded place.

• We offer government-funded early education places for eligible 2, 3, and 4-year-olds.
• Funded hours are offered as term-time only as per local authority guidance.
• Additional hours beyond the funded entitlement are charged at the standard rate.
• Funded hours cannot be swapped, transferred, or “carried forward” between weeks.
• Parents must sign a Parent Declaration Formto access funding.

Any additional charges (such as meals, consumables, or activities) are voluntary. Parents may choose to provide their own items if they prefer.

4. Invoicing & Payment

• Invoices are issued Monthly in advance.
• Fees must be paid by 5^thof each month.
• Payments can be made by:

• • Bank transfer
  • Workplace childcare vouchers
  • Tax-Free Childcare
• A receipt is available on request.

5. Absences, Holidays & Closure

• Fees remain payable during your child’s absence due to illness, holiday, or other personal reasons.
• In the event of nursery closure due to circumstances beyond our control, fees will be reviewed where appropriate..
• No refund is given for sessions missed.

6. Late Collection

• Children must be collected promptly at the end of their booked session.
• A late collection fee of £5 after 10 minutes and £10 after 30 minutes of lateness will be charged.
• Repeated lateness may result in withdrawal of your child’s place.

7. Late / Non-Payment

• Late payment of fees may incur additional charges.
• If fees remain unpaid, your child’s place may be suspended or withdrawn.
• Continued non-payment may result in debt recovery action being taken.

8. Notice Period

• A minimum of 4 weeks written noticeis required if you wish to reduce sessions or withdraw your child.
• Fees remain payable during the notice period.

9. Deposits & Registration Fees

• A non-refundable registration fee of £75 is payable to secure a childcare place. This fee does not apply to families accessing funded-only places and will not prevent any child from accessing their funded entitlement
• A deposit of £100 may be required; this will be refunded against the final invoice provided all fees are up to date.

10. Additional Charges

• Extra sessions or hours outside your agreed booking are charged at the standard hourly rate of £8 per hour
• Optional charges may  apply for extras such as:
• • Outings
  • Meals/snacks outside funded hours
  • Special activities/resources (if applicable)
• Parents may be asked to provide consumables such as nappies, wipes, and creams. Alternatively, the nursery may provide these for an optional charge.

11. Support with Fees

Parents may be able to access help with childcare costs through:

• Tax-Free Childcare
• Universal Credit
• Childcare Vouchers (if already in scheme)
• Early Years Entitlement funding

Further advice can be found at: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

12. Agreement

By signing the registration form, parents/carers agree to comply with this Fee Policy.

Reviewed date   01/09/2025

Reviewed 31 March 2026

Next review date 01/09/2026

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