Thank you so much for all you have done for C, we have seen huge progress and feel very privileged to be able to access such a wonderful service.
Information can be found on the BANES website:
First Steps Terms and Conditions for payment of fees
Universal Early Years Entitlement (EYE)
The Government provides 570 hours of early education per calendar year split equally through the year for all three and four-year-old children the term after their 3rd birthday. Terms are split into the traditional 3 academic periods September-December, January-March, April-August.
At First Steps we offer parents the option to stretch the 15 hours a week for 38 weeks to 11 hours a week for 51 weeks. We will claim this Universal funding on your behalf.
Extended Funding
Some families with 3 and 4-year-old children can apply for an additional 15 hours per week extending their entitlement to a maximum 1140 hours. This has also been
referred to as 30 hours funding. You must apply for this it is not automatic which can be done via https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare
2 Year Funding
Your two year old could get up to 570 hours a year of childcare, which can be taken as an all year round option of 11 hours per week for 51 weeks or term time of 15 hours each week for 38 weeks. To be eligible you must be in receipt of certain benefits or receive Disability Living Allowance for your child or if your child has a current statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education, health and care (EHC) plan. You can apply here https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/form/free-early-education-two-year-olds-application-form
To identify if you are entitled to any other funding such as Tax-Free Childcare, Childcare Tax Credits please visit Childcare Choices below
https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
First Steps regularly review nursery fees with trustees, parents are informed via email of any increase at least one calendar month prior to the increase.
are entitled to any other funding such as Tax-Free Childcare, Childcare Tax Credits please visit Childcare Choices below
First Steps Fees
Trustees and Senior Managers at First Steps have kept fee increases as low as possible to support families. These are the rates from April 2023.
Session Time | Age 2 months - 2 Years | Age 2 Years | Age 3 - 8 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
8 to 6 | £72.10 | £69.10 | £66.10 |
9 to 5 | £58.50 | £56.10 | £53.70 |
9 to 3 | £44.20 | £42.40 | £40.60 |
9 to 1 | £30.60 | £29.40 | £28.20 |
1 to 5 | £27.90 | £26.70 | £25.50 |
3 to 6 | £21.10 | £20.20 | £15.00 |
Hourly top up 8am to 9am or 5pm to 6pm | £6.80 | £6.50 | £6.20 |
There is a 15% sibling discount for second and subsequent children.
Resources Charge The Early Years Entitlement funds ‘free’ childcare hours, this covers the core costs and not the costs of resources such as Toys and Educational Supplies, Nappies, Wipes etc. to name a few, therefore we find we have to charge a supplement to cover the costs associated with your child attending nursery.
In order to enable families to attend on a low income, we do not charge a supplement charge on the Universal 15 hours only for those on the extended entitlement hours.
We currently charge £0.70 per extended hour per week.
Snacks and Lunch Meals are chargeable for children attending Nursery and only using their Early Years Entitlement. Our healthy snacks are charged at £0.70 each for both morning and afternoon tea. We also provide a nutritious 2-course lunch for £2.60 if your child attends lunchtime unless you opt to provide your own packed lunch.
| EYE only children | Morning Snack | 2 course Lunch | Afternoon Snack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal cost | £0.70 | £2.70 | £0.70 |
Free Meals As a charity we are able to offer families on low-income free meals, please speak to your Manager about this. We fundraise in order to provide this service.
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) This is additional funding for early years pre-school settings to improve the education they provide for disadvantaged 3- and 4 year-olds including, but not restricted to, those adopted from care. This enables us to provide additional resources and services for your child.
Our charges are reviewed each September in addition to our Nursery Fees.
Deposits
A deposit of two weeks’ fees must be paid when completing the admission form. This deposit will be repaid to you when your child leaves, provided all fees have been paid.