Fees & Funding

Government funding covers childcare only.  It does not include meals, consumables or enhanced activities.

Busy Little Bees Nurseries support the following entitlements:

• 15 hours universal (age 3–4)

• Up to 30 hours extended (eligible working families)

• 2-year-old funding (eligibility-dependent; expanded from 2024)

Busy Little Bees Nurseries use stretched funding because it aligns with our year-round provision and parents’ working patterns.

Our standard delivery is the stretched, all-year model (51 weeks), which evens out your entitlement over the year for simpler budgeting. In practice, that means:

• 15 hours becomes ≈11.18 hours per week (stretched across 51 weeks).

• 30 hours becomes ≈22.35 hours per week (stretched across 48–51 weeks, depending on pattern).

Families can choose either:

• Zero-cost funded sessions (no extras, no added hours). There’s no obligation to purchase meals, consumables or enhancements to access a funded place; you can bring a packed lunch/tea for these sessions.

• All-inclusive packages that bundle meals, consumables and premium activities with any additional hours you’ve chosen—clearly itemised on your invoice.

Term-time only (38-week) options: We keep a limited number of places for families who specifically need term-time patterns.

Paying privately? Build your week from our standard sessions (full day, short day, morning, afternoon; early drop-off/extra hour where offered). Exact session times and inclusions are listed on each nursery’s schedule - downloadable from this page.

Your child’s day is led by a highly qualified team, and we staff above statutory ratios. That means more one-to-one attention, deeper relationships and richer learning moments—delivered through the EYFS and tailored to your child’s stage.

What funding covers (and what it doesn’t)
Government funding covers the education entitlement. It doesn’t cover meals, certain consumables or enhanced activities. We’re fully transparent about these items and invite voluntary contributions where applicable. If you prefer not to opt in, your child still receives their funded hours and EYFS curriculum; you’re welcome to send a packed lunch/tea and provide your own consumables, and optional extras can be skipped.

Enriched days that go beyond the basics
Alongside core early education, we offer a rolling programme of specialist sessions (e.g., yoga, drama, sports), creative & STEM-style activities (science, cooking), gardening, local outings, seasonal celebrations, and parent workshops—curated to broaden horizons and build confidence. Availability varies by nursery; your fee schedule shows what’s included in all-in packages vs optional on zero-cost funded sessions.

How we show costs.

• Clear breakdowns of any additional hours, food, consumables, activities and premium services.

• Simple monthly figure: Weekly × (plan weeks ÷ 12) (e.g., 51/48/38 as stated).

• No surprises: worked examples in each nursery’s downloadable schedule.

Funded places are free at the point of use. There is no obligation to purchase meals, consumables or enhancements to access a funded place.

• All-inclusive packages: meals, snacks, consumables and premium activities/services included in the weekly figure shown.

• Zero-cost sessions: £0 for the session; optional voluntary food contributions are listed, or bring a packed lunch/tea at no charge.

We’re Ofsted-registered and accept Tax-Free Childcare. Pay in 80p and the government tops up 20p (up to £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 if disabled). We signpost families to compare options before switching schemes.

Use Childcare Choices to check eligibility and apply for codes. HMRC determines eligibility; please keep your details up to date and reconfirm on time. We’ll help you understand how your hours are delivered here.

Funding is 15 or 30 hours for 38 weeks (or stretched across the year as above). We support split funding between providers where local rules allow—your nursery team will advise using the local authority guidance and our parental agreement.

Can we access a funded place without paying for meals?
Yes—choose a zero-cost session; food/enhancements are optional, and you can send a packed lunch/tea.

Why “stretched” across the year?
It smooths hours (≈11.18h for 15; ≈22.35h for 30) for predictable monthly billing; term-time places are limited, and some settings don’t offer 30 over 38 weeks.

How will my invoice show funding vs extras?
Your schedule separates funded hours from any additional hours and optional items, with worked examples.

Can we split hours with another provider?
Often yes, subject to local rules—see our parental agreement and ask your nursery team.

Who can get funded hours and when do they start?

Eligible working parents in England can now get funded hours from the term after their child turns 9 months, with the offer rising to 30 funded hours per week by September 2025 (delivered over 38 weeks, or stretched across the year with us). Term starts are typically 1 January, 1 April, 1 September.

What does “stretched over the year” mean?

Instead of using 15 or 30 hours in term-time only (38 weeks), we spread the annual total across 51 weeks so your monthly bills are steadier. That works out to roughly 11.18h/week for 15h and 22.35h/week for 30h (1,140 annual hours ÷ 51). That’s a simple conversion of the annual entitlement.

Do I have to pay for meals or extras to access a funded place?

No. Funded hours must be free at the point of use. Government funding is not intended to cover meals/consumables/additional services—providers may offer these, but they must be optional (or bundled only in clearly priced all-inclusive packages).

How often do I need to reconfirm my eligibility/code?

Every 3 months in your HMRC Childcare Account (this also applies to Tax-Free Childcare). If you miss a reconfirmation you may enter a grace period for a time set by your local authority.

What is the “grace period”?

If your circumstances change, local authorities should continue funding for a limited grace period so children don’t have to move immediately. (Note: you usually can’t start at a new provider during the grace period.)

Do you take childcare vouchers / workplace schemes?

If you’re already enrolled in a voucher scheme (closed to new entrants), we’ll support payments; otherwise Tax-Free Childcare is the current route for new families. (This is how most UK groups handle payment options.)

Do you accept Tax-Free Childcare?

Yes. You pay 80p and the government adds 20p—up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 if disabled). Many parents use both TFC and funded hours together.

What if I just want private (non-funded) hours?

You can book standard sessions (full/short day, AM/PM, early drop-off/extra hour where offered). Your nursery’s downloadable fee schedule lists exact times and inclusions.

How do bank holidays, closures or sickness affect invoices?

Your fee schedule explains how we handle bank holidays/closure days and any minimum booking or absence rules for your pattern

Will prices change during the year?

We review fees periodically to reflect staffing, food and operating costs; any changes are communicated in advance and reflected in updated schedules