Nursery Fees
Our nursery fees vary depending on your child’s age, the number of days/sessions attended, and any government funding you may be entitled to.
Government funding helps with childcare costs, but it does not cover the full cost of a nursery place. This is because it only pays for part of the childcare and does not include meals, snacks, consumables, or extended hours.
For a personalised fee breakdown, please get in touch with the nursery directly, and we will provide full details based on your child’s requirements.
📩 admin@littlefriendsnursery.co.uk
Tel: 0208 8881999
This Fees Schedule forms part of the Parent Terms and Conditions and Childcare Agreement.
All fees are reviewed annually. Parents will receive a minimum of one calendar month's written notice before any changes take effect.
1. Private Childcare Fees
Private fees may vary depending on:
• Age of the child.
• Session type.
• Attendance pattern.
• Government funding eligibility.
2. Government-Funded Childcare
Little Friends Nursery offers Government-funded childcare in accordance with current Local Authority guidance.
Funding is available only to eligible children and remains subject to Government eligibility criteria.
Parents remain responsible for any non-funded childcare hours and any agreed additional services.
3. Additional Services
Where selected by parents, additional charges may apply for:
• Meals.
• Snacks.
• Consumables.
• Educational visits.
• Optional enrichment activities.
• Special celebrations.
• Additional childcare hours.
These services are entirely separate from Government-funded childcare.
4. Registration Fee
The Nursery currently charges:
£100
This fee is:
☐ Non-refundable
5. Deposit
Where applicable, a refundable deposit of:
£250
may be required to secure a nursery place.
Deposits will normally be returned following completion of the required notice period, provided:
• all fees have been paid,
• no outstanding charges remain,
• all Nursery property has been returned.
6. Ad-hoc Sessions
Additional childcare requested outside contracted sessions will be charged at the current published ad-hoc rate, which is £12.50 hourly.
Ad-hoc bookings:
• are subject to availability,
• cannot be guaranteed,
• require management approval,
• must normally be paid before attendance.
7. Private Hourly Rate
We charge £12 per hour for private hours, which includes all consumables except nappies and wipes.
Appendix B – Consumables Policy
Why We Charge Consumables
Government funding contributes towards the cost of childcare and education, but does not necessarily cover all of the resources and consumables required to deliver the high-quality experiences provided by Little Friends Nursery.
To maintain our high standards, parents may choose to purchase additional services and consumables.
Consumables May Include
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Afternoon tea
• Healthy snacks
• Milk
• Fresh fruit
• Nappies
• Wipes
• Sun cream
• Cooking ingredients
• Arts and crafts materials
• Gardening resources
• Forest School resources
• Celebrations
• Special events
Optional Services
Parents may choose whether to purchase certain optional services where permitted by current funding guidance.
Details are available before a child starts nursery.
Late Collection Charges
Children must be collected promptly at the end of their contracted session.
Late collection places additional pressure on staffing ratios and working hours.
The following charges apply:
Time Late Charge
Up to 15 minutes £15
15–30 minutes £30
Every additional 15 minutes £15
Repeated late collection may result in a review of the Childcare Agreement.
Funding Agreement
Parents receiving Government-funded childcare agree that they will:
• provide accurate eligibility information;
• reconfirm eligibility before Government deadlines;
• immediately inform the Nursery of any changes affecting eligibility;
• pay all charges relating to additional childcare hours and optional services;
• understand that Government funding does not necessarily cover all nursery operating costs.
Invoice Queries
If parents believe an invoice is incorrect, they should notify the Nursery within 14 calendar days of the invoice date.
The Nursery will investigate all genuine queries promptly.
Parents should provide:
• Invoice number.
• Child's name.
• Details of the query.
• Supporting information where available.
Undisputed amounts remain payable by the original due date.
Debt Recovery Procedure
Little Friends Nursery aims to resolve payment difficulties fairly and respectfully.
Where fees remain unpaid:
Stage 1
• Friendly reminder.
Stage 2
• Formal reminder.
Stage 3
• Meeting with the Nursery Manager
Stage 4
• Written notice of suspension or termination.
Stage 5
• Debt recovery or legal proceedings where necessary.
Parents experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to contact the Nursery as early as possible to discuss temporary payment arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is childcare free if I get 15 or 30 hours of funding?
No. Government funding reduces childcare costs, but it does not cover everything. Additional charges apply for meals, snacks, consumables, and any hours beyond the funded entitlement.
What are “consumables”?
Consumables include meals (breakfast, lunch, tea), snacks and resources we provide for children’s care and activities—nappies and wipes to be provided by the parents.
Can I use my funded hours at this nursery?
Yes. We accept government funding for eligible 9-month-olds, 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds.
How are the funded hours applied?
Funding is for 38 weeks of the year (term-time). Since we operate 48 weeks, we offer a “stretched” model across 48 weeks.
Do I have to pay anything on top of my funded hours?
Yes. Families are responsible for meals, snacks, consumables, and any additional hours not covered by funding.
How do I find out what I’ll pay?
Please get in touch with the nursery directly, and we will provide a tailored fee breakdown for your child.
