The government provides funding towards childcare and education, but it is not enough to cover the actual costs of running the setting. Nurseries are struggling to stay open as the funding doesn’t match the cost of providing promised places. Many Early Years settings have already closed or will close in the coming months due to government restrictions on what we can charge and provide. No other business or charity faces such restrictions from the government.
Government funding is intended to cover the cost to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high quality, flexible childcare. It is not intended to cover the cost of snacks and food, non-food consumables, additional hours, enhanced provision or additional services we provide. We are therefore entitled to charge for these additional extras. Starting from 1st April 2025, the government has introduced new guidance to state that these additional extra charges are to be voluntary, and whilst the government expects parents to pay these, settings must now provide alternative options for families who are unable to make these payments.
Please be aware that without the charges for additional extras, Ladybirds won’t be a sustainable setting as we will be unable to cover even the basic costs of running the setting. Ladybirds is a not-for-profit charity and to enable Ladybirds to continue to provide high quality activities and care, we are relying on families paying the charges for additional extras.
Parents of children who are eligible for 15/30 hours Early Years Pupil Premium or 15 hours 2 year assessment funding won’t be asked to contribute as the level of their funding is slightly higher. Should children who are eligible for the 2 year assessment funding or early years pupil premium attend above their 15 or 30 hours, the hourly rate of £8 will be charged plus the enhanced provision charge for the additional sessions attended.
- We charge £1.50 for breakfast and £1.50 for the evening snack should your child access this.
- The additional extras that we are entitled to charge for are:
- Snacks and food
- Non-food consumables
- Forest school sessions each day
- Maintaining the wildlife garden / forest school setting, providing outdoor kit and wellington boots and maintaining these
- Trips out and using a higher ratio of staff
- Baking & cooking activities
- Additional physical literacy sessions
- Additional Music sessions
- Printing for termly photo reports
- Seasonal and Cultural celebration
In line with the new government guidelines, we have introduced a process for families who feel they are unable to make these payments. Please be aware that in some circumstances families are able to provide alternatives to the extras we usually provide (i.e snacks) and in other cases if you are unable to make payment for these extras your child may not be able to participate (i.e trips, forest school sessions & music lessons).
If parents need support in paying the invoice, some examples of government support are stated below:
- Government Child Care Subsidy: The government offers subsidies or assistance programs to help with childcare costs. Parents may need to meet certain eligibility criteria, such as income limits or work-related requirements. For example, in the UK, families can apply for tax-free childcare or the 30 hours free childcare scheme.
- Tax Credits: In some regions, parents can claim tax credits for childcare expenses. These programs often provide financial assistance based on the family’s income, the number of children in care, and how much is spent on childcare.
- Employer Benefits: Some employers offer childcare assistance as part of employee benefits, such as flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or dependent care assistance programs. Parents can use these benefits to reduce the cost of childcare.
- Child Care Vouchers: In some places, parents can access childcare vouchers through government programs or their employer, which help cover part of the childcare fees.
- Universal Credit: If you pay for childcare while you go to work, Universal Credit can pay some of your childcare costs. This includes holiday clubs, after-school clubs and breakfast clubs. If you live with a partner, you both need to be working, unless your partner cannot look after your children. You have to pay for your childcare costs yourself. Then you report them to Universal Credit, and Universal Credit pays some of the money back. You will only get the money back with Universal Credit after the childcare actually happens. You can get up to 85% of childcare costs paid back to you. See www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-childcare-costs