Government Funded attendance
Sandcastles is eligible to provide Funded Early Years Entitlement sessions, starting the term after your child’s third* birthday. *Some children are eligible for funded attendance from their 2nd birthday. In the spring 23 budget the government announced their intention to extend funding to more 2 year olds..... we await further detail and will share this when we receive it.
We offer both universal (AKA 15 hours) and extended hours (AKA 30 hours) places. We offer stretched funding providing funded sessions over the full year, we also offer a limited number of term time only places.
To qualify for extended hours parents need to apply online and claim your 11 digit funding eligibility code with nursery before term starts, i.e. before 31 Aug, 20 Dec, 31 March.
https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Our None Core Services fee for the year 2023/2024 is £1.10 per funded hour and funds, everything we provide above and beyond the statutory EYFS requirements when children are accessing government funding.
Any additional sessions and lunches will be charged at our current rates.
What do parents need to do in preparation for April 2024?
During Feb 2024 please apply for your extended hours online at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ ready for funding to start in April.
For your child to attend extended funding hours (AKA 30 hours) in summer term please submit your 11 digit funding code to Sandcastles by 2pm Mon 18th March 2024. If this is not possible please phone Helen to see if there is any way we can help you. Please note that you can combine your government funding with the HMRC Tax Free Childcare scheme. To be able to access your child's summer term extended funding you must have your 11 digit code by 31st March or your funding will not be available to you during autumn term.
We are now registering children to join Sandcastles in Sept 2024 and beyond, please get in touch to reserve your child's place.
x Helen
Fees (2-5 years)
July 2023 - Aug 2024
MORNING [8:00-12:00] £ 27.20
Breakfast, snacks & drinks included
AFTERNOON [1:00-4:00] £ 20.40
Snacks & drinks included
DAY [8:00-4:00] £ 57.35
Breakfast, snacks, drinks & lunch included
LATE [4:00-5:45] £ 11.90
Snacks & drinks included
FULL WEEK £ 311.00
8:00 - 5:45 Monday-Friday
Breakfast, snacks, drinks & lunches included
Fees are calculated monthly and annualised to enable standing orders and voucher payments.
To assure your child’s continued place, we must ask you to pay by the 8th of each month. Late payments are subject to a £1 per day charge.
Payments accepted: Cash, Online bank transfer, Employer Salary Sacrifice Schemes, HMRC Tax Free Childcare & Cheques.
Help with Childcare Costs
Paying for childcare is a considerable expense for parents and it is vital that you are aware of all the help that is available. There are several options to consider, including the use of tax credits, employer childcare vouchers and your entitlement to free sessions under the Nursery Education Funding scheme for 3 and 4 year olds.