Childcare

Fees, funded places & Funding

Free places

Information can be found on the BANES website:

funded places for 9 months, 2 year old and 3 to 4 Year olds

First Steps Terms and Conditions for payment of fees

Funding and Additional Charges Leaflet

Universal Early Years Entitlement (EYE)

The Government provides 570 hours of early education per year for all 3 and 4-year-old children the term after their 3rd birthday. Funding is split equally into the traditional 3 academic terms September-December, January-March, April-August which cannot be carried forward. At First Steps we offer parents the option to stretch the 15 hours a week for 38 weeks to 51 weeks all year round which is rounded to 11 hours a week, this cannot be changed mid-term. 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 of 1140 hours. You must apply for this; it is not automatic which can be done via https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare

Working Family Eligibility two-year funding
Working parents of 9 month olds will be able to access 15 hours of Early Years Entitlement (38 weeks a year) from the term after their child reaches the age of 9 months. This can be stretched over 51 weeks all year round which is rounded to 11 hours a week, this cannot be changed mid-term. Parents have to apply for this here https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working

Two-year-old Funding for families in receipt of additional Government support.
If you receive 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 may be eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare over 38 weeks or 11 hours stretched over 51 weeks. You can apply here: https://parent.bathnes.gov.uk/web/portal/pages/home/earlyyears

Other funding
To identify if you are entitled to any other funding such as Tax-Free Childcare, Childcare Tax Credits please visit Childcare Choices https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

First Steps regularly reviews nursery fees with trustees, parents are informed via our nursery App of any increase at least one calendar month before the increase.

First Steps Fees

These are the rates for all New children starting as from April 2025

There is a 15% sibling discount for second and subsequent children.

Snacks and Lunch Meals are chargeable for children attending Nursery and only using their Early Years Entitlement. Our healthy snacks are charged at £0.80 each for both morning and afternoon tea. We also provide a nutritious 2-course lunch for £3.30 if your child attends lunchtime unless you opt to provide your own packed lunch.

Free Meals As a charity we can offer families with a low-income, free meals, please speak to your Manager about this. We fundraise to provide this service.

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) and Deprivation Funding. This is additional funding for early years providers to improve outcomes for children by providing them with enhanced learning and development support. This means that for children from low-income families accessing the Universal Early Education Entitlement (EYE) or Working Family funding providers are entitled to receive additional funding of up to £980 per year. We will work in partnership with you to carefully consider the learning and development needs of your child. We can automatically check if your child is eligible if you as parent/carer provide your date of birth and National Insurance number, by providing this you give us permission to this your eligibility.

Deposits
A deposit of two weeks’ fees must be paid when completing the registration form to reserve your child’s place. This deposit will be repaid to you when your child leaves, or when Early Years funding is received provided all fees have been paid.