Funding and other fees
At St Mary’s Preschool we offer both funded and fee paying places. Please ensure you discuss which type of place you are hoping to apply for when you come for your initial meeting & show around. We will require proof of identify for your child and information about yourself such as National Insurance Numbers/ DOB on all our funding forms.
Please be aware that it is a parent’s responsibility to apply for a government funded place. If you are applying for a funded place we will require proof of your eligibility and details of your confirmed unique funding code in advance of your child starting.
Government Funded Place
– 15 Hours Childcare – Working Parents
The term after your child turns 9 months old, some parents become entitled to 15 hours of funding per week for 38 weeks of the year term time only.
– Time for Twos
The term after their child’s 2nd birthday, some parents become eligible to receive the means-tested Time for Twos funding. This is 15 hours per week of funded childcare for 38 weeks of the year; equating to a total of 570 hours of funded education per year (term time only)
– Universal 15 Hours
The term after their child’s 3rd birthday, ALL parents become eligible for the Universal Funding of 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. This equates to a total of 570 hours of funded education per year which can be taken term-time only.
– 30 Hours Childcare
The term after their child’s 3rd birthday, some parents become entitled to an additional 15 hours of funding per week for 38 weeks of the year – this is referred to as the 30 hours entitlement or the +15 hours entitlement. This funding equates to a total of 1140 hours of funded education per year, which can be taken term-time.
– Early Years Pupil Premium
In addition to the above, some 3 & 4 year olds are also eligible for EYPP funding to support them to achieve their future goals. Again this funding is means tested and is also available for children who have been in care or adopted from care, it is paid directly to the childcare setting and we then have to evidence how the money was spent and the impact on the individual child for whom it is allocated. For more information and the eligibility criteria please follow this link: https://www.dudley.gov.uk/eypp
Fee Paying Place
As of April 2025 children who require an unfunded fee paying place will be invoiced monthly at the rate shown below.
- Morning Session (3 hours): £21.00
- Full day Session (6 hours): £42.00
We only offer full day sessions to our Upper Preschool Children (the year before their school start date) in the first instance.
If you specifically require a longer full day session or afternoon only session this needs to be discussed first and agreed on my the management team. Any changes to originally agreed sessions must be applied for in a written request, we cannot move or swap days around to suit as and when over the terms. Ad hoc one off sessions are sometimes available depending on our numbers and staffing.
Sports Coach Sessions
Sports coaching takes places once a week on a Tuesday morning (Summer Term 2025) and all children are asked to take part in this if they attend on this day. The cost of this session is roughly £4.50 per week and is payable a term in advance. These will be invoiced and sent to you directly.
Support with applying for funding
The Childcare Choices website is there to help you find the support that fits your family, giving your child a great start and you the choices you need.
If you’re an eligible working parent in England, you can apply for your code online on GOV.UK for:
- Up to 15 hours childcare per week for your child between 9 months until they turn 3 years old, over 38 weeks of the year.
- Up to 30 hours childcare per week for your 3 or 4 year old, over 38 weeks of the year.
What is nursery funding?
You can get help with the cost of childcare through:
- Tax-Free Childcare in the UK
- Free Childcare if you’re working in England
- You can get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as Free Childcare if you’re eligible for both.
– Tax-Free Childcare
If you’re eligible to get Tax-Free Childcare, you’ll set up an online childcare account for your child. For every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay in £2 to use to pay your provider. When you apply for Tax-Free Childcare, you’ll be given a unique reference number for your child. You need to give this number to your childcare provider so that they can match your payments to your child.
– Free Childcare
- 15 hours a week if your child is 9 months to 2 years old
- 30 hours a week if your child is 3 to 4 years old
- From September 2025, all eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3 years old can access 30 hours free childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year.
Am I eligible for funding?
You can find out what funding you’re eligible for on the Gov website ‘Help with Childcare costs’ page. After setting up an account, you will need to sign in and reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. If you don’t reconfirm in time you may miss out on some funding.
Can I split funding between two childcare providers?
Yes, to do this you will need to provide your eligibility code and information to each provider and you will not be able to access more than two sites in one day. Each provider may calculate your funding on either term-time only or all year-round basis, combined the providers cannot exceed the funded offer of 15 hours (570 hours per year), and 30 hours (1140 hours per year).