Fees & Funding

Fees are charged at £7.00 per hour for 3-4 year olds and £8.00 per hour for non-funded children exceeding their funded hours.

You may get help with fees through universal credit. For more information please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-childcare-cost#how-much-you-can-get

Childcare Vouchers & Tax-Free Childcare

Tax-Free Childcare & Childcare Vouchers
The Pre-School accepts tax-free childcare and childcare vouchers for any fees owed.. To set up a tax-free childcare account, visit: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

3 and 4 Year old funding (15 hours)

Each child is eligible to a maximum of 15 hours funding per week, up to a maximum of 570 hours per educational year. Mulberry Pre-School will apply for funding on behalf of parents/carers, however, parents/carers must ensure funding forms provided to them are completed in full and returned by the agreed date. If this is not done, full fees will be payable until the form is returned.

Funding (working parents) of children aged 9 months - 4 years

Eligibility: Both parents must work at least 16 hours per week at the minimum wage, earning less than £100,000 each. Check eligibility and apply for 30 hours funding by visiting: www.beststartinlife.gov.uk
Verification: Parents must verify their employment status every 3 months to continue claiming funding.

Payment Terms

Fees are payable weekly, monthly, or termly in advance.
Parents/carers will receive an invoice or payment plan in advance for the period covered.
All payments must be made on or before the first day of the invoiced period.

Additional Services Charge- Funded Children

At Mulberry Preschool, your child’s Government-funded Early Years Entitlement (15 hours universal and, where applicable, 15 extended hours) covers the cost of childcare only.

To support the enriching experiences we provide, we apply an Additional Services Charge for each half-day session. This is optional, and parents/carers may opt out. If you choose not to pay, we will discuss suitable alternatives with you.

The Additional Services Charge for each half-day includes:

Snack provision – £1.00
Sundries such as wipes and suncream
Seasonal items such as sun hats/woolly hats and gloves, waterproofs
Celebrations and festivals, including Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas party, and end-of-term leavers’ events
Outside visitors and special services
Enhancements to our continuous provision to enrich children’s learning and experiences

Total optional charge:

£2.50 per half day
£5.00 per full day

Parents who wish to opt out of this charge can contact the Preschool to discuss alternative arrangements.

Late Payments

Mulberry Pre-School is a registered charity and is unsustainable if fees are not paid on time. If payments are not made within 7 days from the issue of the invoice, the Pre-School reserves the right to charge a late payment penalty of £10.00. Mulberry Pre-School further reserves the right to exclude children until their invoice is paid in full.

Late Collection Of Children

Mulberry Pre-School reserves the right to invoice parents/carers if their child is collected late. The charge will commence fifteen minutes after the agreed collection time at a rate of £5 for the first fifteen minutes and £5 per five minutes thereafter until the actual pick up time.