Funding
Whilst the Government funding is structured for 38 weeks a year (term time), the guidance allows us to opt for the stretched offer to accommodate working families. The total hours are equally applied over 51 weeks equating to:
15 hours funding - 11.18 hours stretched per week.
30 hours funding – 22.36 hours stretched per week.
The guidance allows for additional charges to be applied for consumables, meals, enrichments and activities that are not covered by the funding, but these charges are not to be conditional to your child accessing a grant funded place. If you opt out of our charging policy we will endeavour to offer alternative days or hours when additional charges do not take place.
The additional charges will be a combination of:
Additional ours not covered by the funded hours
Meals
Consumables
Activities
Enhancements not covered by the Government funding.
Children become eligible for the age specific funding in the term following their relevant birthday or the term after they turn 9 months as stipulated by the DFE.
9-23 months
Eligible families can now apply to claim 30 hours (22.36 stretched) of funding.
2-3 years
Eligible families can now apply for 30 hours (22.36 stretched) of funding.
3+ years
All children over 3 are eligible for 15 hours of funding (11.18 hours stretched). Eligible families can apply for a further 15 hours (11.18 hours stretch).
Term start dates are stipulated by the DFE are typically 1st January 1st April and 1st September each year. To find out if you are eligible, and other funding initiatives please contact Childcare Choices.
Tax Free Childcare
We advise all parents to pay their fees through a Tax-Free Childcare account as this will give you a further 20% off the prices below. Tax free childcare is a method of paying childcare costs (including your nursery invoice) which provides a significant saving each month. It can be used alongside both 15 and 30 hours of funding. The eligibility criteria closely follow that of 30 hours funding. Full details of eligibility can be found here. To apply for tax free childcare please follow the instructions here.
Opt In and Opt Out Policy
The guidance in March 2025 from the DfE stated that EYEF 30 hour working parent funding, or 15 hours
3 year old funding was intended to cover the costs associated with delivering ‘Basic Childcare’ as offered within the Early Years Foundation Stage and accessing this should be free at the point of delivery. Services, activities, and items offered by Westview and Shambles that ARE covered within this definition of ‘Basic childcare’ are:
Small world play, dressing up, role play, stories and songs.
Puzzles, games, and basic maths and fine motor resources.
Basic art supplies including paper, glue, and paint.
Basic sensory supplies like sand and water.
Construction and building toys.
Staffing levels that meet the minimum EYFS ratios.
The EYEF is not intended to cover the cost of any meals, consumables, additional hours attended, or additional activities that fall outside of the DfE’s definition of ‘Basic Childcare’. Services, activities, and items offered that are NOT covered within this basic childcare and are chargeable are as follows:
Consumables
Nappies, nappy sacks, wipes, nappy creams.
Nappy disposal
Any authorised non prescribed medications – Calpol, Piriton etc.
Suncreams and other sun protections.
Spare swimming kit – Swimsuits/shorts, swimming hats, towels, etc.
Spare outdoor clothing – Puddle suits/waterproof trousers/waterproof coats, winter coats, winter hats, wellie boots, summer hats.
Bedding
Meals and nutrition
Breakfast, lunch and tea.
Snack, homemade breads and bakes, fruits and crudites.
Daily baking
Specific dietary and allergen requirements and ingredients
Activities
Forest School.
Swimming – by arrangement and charge separately
Yoga
Dance, music and drama
Language sessions
Sports sessions
Enrichments
Summer garden party
Trips that link to our journeys
Pantomime/Theatre visits.
Visits from educational groups ie. Birds of Prey
Access to our Online Learning Journals and Communication System – FAMLY
Other
Specialist 1:1 SEN support outside of Local Authority Offer.
Speech and language therapist.
SEN meetings and support visits.
Additional Staff over and above the basic minimum requirements.
Additional Safeguarding Leads.
Additional Safer Recruitment trained personal.
Additional Paediatric First Aid trained personal.
Administrative staff, time and stationery to manage and deliver EYEF
STEM activities
How charges are applied on Funded sessions
9 month funding charges per half day session
Meals and snacks £4.00
Consumables £2.00
2 year old funding charges per half day session
Meal and snacks £4.00
Consumables £2.00
Activities £4.00
Enhancements £2.00
3 year old funding charges per half day session
Meal and snacks £4.00
Consumables £2.00
Activities £8.00
Enhancements £2.00
Standard Fees (£9.90 per hour)
Includes all meals, activities, consumables and enrichments (excluding swimming)
9 months to 3 years old
11.18 hours stretched – 3 half day sessions. Over 1 x full day and 1 x half day: £110.68
22.36 hours stretched – 5 half day sessions. Over 2 full days and 1 half day: £221.36
Fees with funding applied
Charges applied for meals, activities, consumables and enrichments. (excluding swimming)
9 months
30 hour funding stretched to 22.36 hours 51 weeks a year - 5 half day sessions: £25.00. Tax free childcare when applicable deducted at 20% £24.00.
2 years old
15 hour funding stretched to 11.18 hours 51 weeks a year- 3 half day sessions: £36.00. Tax free childcare when applicable deducted at 20% £28.80.
30 hour funding stretched to 22.36 hours 51 weeks a year - 5 half day sessions: £60.00. Tax free childcare when applicable deducted at 20% £48.00.
3 years old
11.15 hour funding stretched to 11.18 hours 51 weeks a year- 3 half day sessions: £48.00. Tax free childcare when applicable deducted at 20% £38.40.
30 hour funding stretched to 22.36 hours 51 weeks a year - 5 half day sessions: £80.00. Tax free childcare when applicable deducted at 20% £64.00.