Fees
All children have to attend 5 days a week, whether this be 5 morning sessions, 5 afternoon sessions or 5 full days. This pattern of attendance helps children to establish a daily routine needed for primary school, supports building stronger relationships with staff and the other children and provides a greater opportunity for them to make good progress.
If you are entitled to 15 hours funding a week, your morning or your afternoon session will be fully funded with use of your universal or FF2 funding.
If you are entitled to 30 hours funding a week, your full day place will be fully funded with use of your extended hour HMRC code.
In the event that you are not entitled to free childcare, we charge £5 per hour meaning five mornings or five afternoons will be £75 per week or five full days would be £175 per week.
We are also happy to accept 15 hours funding combined with 15 hours paid for full time places.
Please note that school dinners are charged at £2.30 each or free to those in receipt of Free School Meals. Alternatively, your child is welcome to bring in a packed lunch.
Free childcare for 2 year olds
Some 2 year olds can get up to 15 hours of free childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year. This is a national childcare scheme known in Kent as ‘Free for 2’ and is available to 2 year olds who meet the Government’s eligibility criteria.
Once you have been confirmed eligible for a free 2 year old place, the funding will remain with your child until they take up their free 3 year old place – even if your circumstances change.
Find out if your child is eligible:
| Child born between | Will become eligible for free early education and childcare |
|---|---|
| 1 January and 31 March | The start of term 5 following their second birthday (after Easter holiday) |
| 1 April and 31 August | The start of term 1 following their second birthday (after summer holiday) |
| 1 September and 31 December | The start of term 3 following their second birthday (after Christmas/New Year holiday) |
Free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds
Universal entitlement
All 3 and 4 year olds can have up to 15 hours of free childcare each week for 38 weeks a year.
This is a national scheme every child in England is entitled to.
For more information about using your free childcare, read our parents’ guide to 15 hours (universal) funding.
30 hours of free childcare
Eligible working families with 3 and 4 year olds can receive up to 30 hours of free childcare each week. This is an extra 15 hours of free childcare in addition to the universal entitlement and is known as extended entitlement. It is available over 38 weeks a year.
Find out when your 3 year old is eligible:
| Child born between | Will become eligible for free childcare |
|---|---|
| 1 January and 31 March | The start of term 5 following their third birthday (after Easter holiday) |
| 1 April and 31 August | The start of term 1 following their third birthday (after summer holiday) |
| 1 September and 31 December | The start of term 3 following their third birthday (after Christmas/New Year holiday) |
Apply for 30 hours
To get the additional hours you will need to sign up online to get an eligibility code. You’ll also need to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months.
You must apply for your 30 hours eligibility code in the term before your child becomes eligible by age. The government has recommended application periods. If you do not apply within these recommended periods you may not get your code in time. If you do not apply for and receive your code before the deadline date you will not be able to take up your place until the term after.
| When your child turns 3 | When they can get 30 hours from | Recommended time to apply | Deadline for applying |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 September to 31 December | 1 January | 15 October to 30 November | 31 December |
| 1 January to 31 March | 1 April | 15 January to 28 February | 31 March |
| 1 April to 31 August | 1 September | 15 June to 31 July | 31 August |
To find out about full eligibility criteria, how to apply and other information read our guide to 30 hour funding.