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Additional costs you may have to pay

The funding is for early education and childcare. It is meant to deliver 30 hours of funded, high-quality childcare. It is not intended to cover the cost of items such as, but not limited to:

  • meals
  • nappies
  • sun cream

Any consumables charges must be voluntary. Your childcare provider should be able to give you a detailed breakdown of any consumable charge. They must have a policy in place if you are unable or unwilling to pay.

Fees for extra time or activities are private. These fees are between you and a provider. However, your provider must tell you the cost before you take up the extra time, consumables, or activities. Before you agree to take up a place, make sure you understand what is being provided.

Your provider cannot charge you a top up. A top up is the difference between what they charge and the funding they receive from the government.

They can charge a deposit to secure a funded place for your child. However, they must return the deposit in full within 6 weeks of your child taking up the place.  If you change your mind and your child does not attend, the childcare provider can retain the deposit.

Please also be aware of the points 3 to 7 of the parental declaration form that you will be asked to sign:

  • Point 3: I confirm I have read and accept the provider’s Free Early Education and Childcare offer and fee structure and that the costs of chargeable extras have been fully explained to me and where I have agreed to pay, these will be itemised on my invoice.
  • Point 4: I understand it is my responsibility to ensure the provider(s) are aware of the hours I wish to claim and that these do not collectively exceed the weekly maximum of 30 hours.
  • Point 5: I understand that if my child attends more than the maximum 30 hours the provider(s) involved will charge for the hours my child attends in excess of his/her Free Early Education and childcare.
  • Point 6: I understand that if I stretch the Free Early Education and childcare offer over more than 38 weeks per year, my weekly hours will reduce from 30 hours to ensure I do not exceed the annual entitlement.
  • Point 7: I understand that once the annual Free Early Education and childcare of 1140 hours has been reached, any additional hours will be charged for by the provider. The annual entitlement starts in the term in which my child first became eligible for funding.