info@expandinghorizonsuk.com +44 7743 925779
Funding & Fees

Clear answers on what a place costs — and the help available

At Expanding Horizons Nurseries, we believe high-quality early education should be both accessible and transparent. Government childcare funding can make a meaningful difference to your monthly fees — but we know the options can feel complex.

Use the calculator below to see your likely monthly fee, then read on for how funding works at our nursery.

Estimate my monthly fee Fees & funding
Jump to

Estimate your monthly fee

Choose your pattern of attendance and your funding entitlement, then send us your details and we’ll come back with your figures. Fees are based on our 2026–2027 schedule.

Session type

Half days run 8am–1pm or 1pm–6pm. Early starts and late finishes are available subject to availability.

Days per week
Government funding

Not sure which applies? The funding options below explain who qualifies for each.

We offer a limited amount of fully funded places. Please email or call directly to enquire regarding them.

Our funding options

Two government entitlements apply at our nursery. Many families qualify for one of them; some move from the universal offer to the working families entitlement as their circumstances change.

Working families
30hours per week, term time

Working Families Entitlement

Eligible working families can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week during term time (38 weeks per year).

Age range: 9 months to 4 years 11 months

Who is eligible

  • Parents or carers earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at national minimum wage
  • Individual earnings must not exceed £100,000 per year

Designed to support working households, so children benefit from enriching early education while parents continue their careers.

Every child
15hours per week, term time

Universal Entitlement

All children aged 3 to 4 years are entitled to this funding, regardless of family income or employment status.

Provision: 15 hours per week, term time only

Who is eligible

  • Available to every child within this age group — no income or work test

This universal offer ensures every child can access high-quality early learning experiences as they prepare for school.

Understanding your eligibility

We encourage families to explore their full entitlement using the government services below, which give a personalised overview of all available support. Our team is always happy to talk you through the options too.

Free childcare support Childcare calculator

How funding is structured here

Government funding is allocated over 38 weeks of the year. We spread — or ‘stretch’ — your funded hours across the full 50 weeks, so your fees stay steady all year.

Allocated by government38 weeks · term time
Stretched by us50 weeks · all year round

The same funded hours, spread over more weeks — fewer hours each week, but the same fee every month.

This means

  • Consistent monthly fees
  • No unexpected fluctuations during school holidays
  • Greater ease in budgeting for your family

When your funding begins

Funding starts from the term following your child reaching the eligible age.

Birthday between

1 April – 31 August

Funding starts in the autumn term

Birthday between

1 September – 31 December

Funding starts in the spring term

Birthday between

1 January – 31 March

Funding starts in the summer term

How to apply

Three steps, in this order — the code has to reach us before the deadline for the term you want the place to start.

1

Apply online via the official Government childcare service.

2

Obtain your funding eligibility code.

3

Share this code with your Nursery Manager.

Submit your code before the deadline to secure your child’s funded place

Autumn term
31 August
Spring term
31 December
Summer term
31 March

Keeping your funding active

Every 3 months

Your eligibility must be reconfirmed through your HMRC childcare account. It’s a simple process, but essential — without it, funding stops.

Alongside funded hours

Tax-Free Childcare

Many families can benefit from the Tax-Free Childcare scheme as well as their funded hours.

£2 for every £8

added by the Government to your deposits

£500 every 3 months

per child — up to £2,000 a year

  • Funds can be used with approved childcare providers, including our nursery
  • Typically both parents are working and earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at minimum wage

Once your account is set up, give us your reference number so we can allocate payments correctly.

Through your employer

Workplace Nursery Schemes

Some employers offer Workplace Nursery Schemes to help their employees with childcare costs.

  • Employers contribute directly towards nursery provision
  • Additional resources may be invested into enriching learning environments
  • Can be used alongside funded hours
  • Cannot be used together with Tax-Free Childcare

We recommend checking with your employer to see whether this scheme is available to you.

Additional charges & fully funded places

Questions families ask us

We believe families should be able to make informed decisions about childcare without unexpected costs. Government-funded childcare places can be accessed without purchasing additional hours, meals, consumables or optional services.

Our team will always provide a personalised written fee illustration before a place is confirmed, so you can clearly understand any costs that may apply to your family’s chosen attendance pattern.

Can I access a fully funded place without buying anything extra?

Yes. Eligible families may access their funded childcare entitlement without being required to purchase:

  • Additional childcare hours
  • Meals or snacks
  • Consumables
  • Activities or enrichment sessions
  • Any other voluntary services

Choosing not to purchase any additional services will not affect a child’s funded place.

We offer a limited number of fully funded places each year, subject to availability. Families wishing to access one are encouraged to contact our team to discuss availability and attendance patterns.

How are funded hours delivered across the year?

Our nursery operates Monday to Friday, 8:00am–6:00pm, 50 weeks per year. Government-funded hours are stretched across our operating year so that fees remain consistent throughout the year.

Before your child starts, we will provide a written breakdown showing:

  • Funded hours included each week
  • Additional childcare hours selected (if any)
  • Weekly fees
  • Monthly fees
  • Any optional services chosen

This ensures all costs are clear and agreed before childcare begins.

What if I want more hours than my funded entitlement?

Many families choose to purchase childcare hours beyond their funded entitlement. Where additional hours are selected, these are charged at our published nursery rates.

A personalised quotation will clearly show:

  • Which hours are funded
  • Which hours are fee-paying
  • The cost of any additional hours
  • The total cost of the childcare place

There is no obligation to purchase additional hours in order to access funded childcare.

Do we have to buy nursery meals?

No. Fresh meals and snacks are available throughout the day, but the provision of food during funded hours is entirely voluntary. Parents may choose either:

Nursery meals — children receive age-appropriate meals and snacks prepared in accordance with our healthy eating principles.

Home-provided food, matching what is being offered at nursery. Parents who prefer not to purchase nursery meals may provide:

  • A packed lunch
  • Snacks appropriate to their child’s age
  • Any dietary alternatives required

Children will continue to access all aspects of the curriculum regardless of whether nursery meals are purchased. A current meal charge schedule is available from the nursery upon request.

What about nappies, wipes and sun cream?

For convenience, the nursery can provide certain consumables including nappies, wipes and sun cream. These consumables are optional, and parents may alternatively provide their own.

Choosing not to use nursery-provided consumables will not affect access to funded childcare. A current consumables cost schedule is available upon request.

Are activities and enrichment sessions compulsory?

No — participation is voluntary. Throughout the year we may offer optional additional experiences such as educational outings, seasonal celebrations, visiting performers, specialist workshops and enrichment activities.

Where a charge applies, families will receive advance notice of:

  • The activity
  • The cost
  • The date
  • Any consent requirements

Children who do not participate will continue to receive high-quality childcare and learning opportunities in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Is there a registration fee?

No registration fee is charged in relation to a child’s funded entitlement hours.

Where families choose to purchase additional fee-paying childcare hours, a registration fee may apply in accordance with our published fee schedule. Any applicable fee will be clearly explained before a place is accepted.

Is the deposit refundable?

A deposit may be requested when reserving a childcare place. Any deposit is fully refundable within a reasonable timeframe, subject to the place commencing as agreed.

Can we change our mind about optional services?

Yes. Parents may choose whether to use optional services including meals and snacks, consumables, additional activities and enrichment opportunities.

To help us plan staffing, food ordering and resources effectively, changes to voluntary services may require reasonable notice in accordance with your Parent Agreement. All changes will be confirmed in writing.

Parents can opt back into voluntary services at any time, subject to the notice periods set out in their nursery contract.

We’re here to help

Funding can feel complicated, but we’re here to make it as straightforward as possible. If you would like help understanding funded childcare, fees, eligibility or optional services, our team will be delighted to guide you through the options available for your family.

Talk to our team
Wonder, our friendly star

Supporting you every step of the way

We are committed to making this process as straightforward and supportive as possible. If you would like personalised guidance, or have questions about eligibility, structure or payments, our team will be delighted to help.

Fees & funding

Last reviewed July 2026. This page offers general guidance — entitlements depend on individual circumstances. Please use the Government’s childcare calculator for a personalised figure.