Session Times and Fees

Admission into our Pre-School can happen throughout the year so children can join Little Cherries Pre-School at any time from the term they turn 3 years old (as long as places are available).  We would be delighted to arrange an appointment for you to visit us and experience what we have to offer for yourself. 

Little Cherries Pre-school operates for 38 weeks of the year during term-time. Our holiday club is available for children 3+ and can be booked via our holiday club booking system: Holiday Club The holiday club is run by a member of the Little Cherries staff team. 

Session Times and Fees - Academic year 2024/2025

Sessions available:	2 year-old fees (£6 per hour)	3/4 year old fees (£5.50 per hour)
Full Day - 8:45am – 3:15pm –  6.5 hours	£39	£35.75
Morning - 8:45am – 11:45am –  3 hours	£18	£16.50
Extended Morning (morning + Lunch) - 8:45am – 12:15pm –  3.5 hours	£21	£19.25
Extended Afternoon (Lunch + Afternoon) - 11:45am – 3:15pm –  3.5 hours	£21	£19.25
Afternoon - 12:15pm – 3:15pm –  3 hours	£18	£16.50

Additional hours are charged at the hourly rate. Fees are subject to an annual review.

Funding information

The early years entitlements are:

• 15 hours entitlement for eligible working parents of 2-year-old children (due to be extended to 30 hours from 1 September 2025)
• 15 hours entitlement for families of 2-year-olds receiving additional support (formerly known as the 2-year-old disadvantaged entitlement)
• universal 15 hours entitlement for all 3 and 4-year-olds
• additional 15 hours entitlement for working parents of 3 and 4-year-olds

Free Childcare (3-4 year olds)

All 3 and 4 year old children at pre-school are eligible for Universal 15 hours of funding. This funding begins the term after the child turns 3 years old. 

As in the table above, each pre-school session (morning/afternoon) is 3 hours. 5 x morning or afternoon sessions would be covered by the Universal 15 hours funding. Each full day is 6.5 hours; therefore, if you would prefer to do 2 full days, this will equate to 13 hours of funding. 

Please note that due to the location of our pre-school within the school site, children are expected to attend for the full advertised session. We are unable to offer flexible drop-off and pick-up times. 

Extended Funding 

Parents will need to apply to see if they are eligible for the extended funding: 15 hours 2-year-old additional support funding or 15 & 30 hours childcare for eligible working families. Please visit: Childcare support available | Childcare Choices, to check your eligibility.

Parents can apply for a place for up to five days a week from 8:45am-3:15pm.

More information about the funding available to you can be found at Help Paying For Your Childcare - Childcare Choices (gov.uk)

 

Please note, we do not currently charge any additional fees for consumables. If your child wears nappies, parents are expected to provide nappies, wipes and sacks for changing.

 

Lunch at Pre-school

Children can purchase a hot lunch from our catering partner, ‘Dolce’. Parents will order using the online website SchoolGrid, costs and log-in details will be given out with registration. Alternatively, pupils can bring a packed lunch from home.

 

Pre-School Wraparound provision

There will also be an extra option to book a place in our Pre-School Wraparound service which will run from:-

7:30am – 8:45am Monday to Friday at a daily cost of £8.00

3:15pm – 4:30pm Monday to Friday at a daily cost of £8.00

3:15pm – 6:00pm Monday to Friday at a daily cost of £12.00

 

Payments

Invoices are issued on a monthly basis. The school will require regular payment of Pre-School invoices, failure to do so will result in the additional hours or services being withdrawn.

Families can use the Government funded free hours at Little Cherries, along with national childcare voucher schemes and Government Tax Free child-care scheme.

Most parents will be entitled to Tax-Free childcare. In order to access this service, you will need to set up an online childcare account for your child. This is a great scheme and can help with childcare costs as for every £8 you pay into your account, the government will pay in £2 to use to pay your provider. You can get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as working family funding if you’re eligible for both.

For more information on Tax-Free Childcare, please visit Tax-Free Childcare | Childcare Choices.