The Hamlet Preschool accepts Early Education and Childcare Funding, which begins the term following your child’s third birthday, or for children who are eligible for the Working Parent Entitlement, from the term following their second birthday.

Early Education & Childcare Funding

At our preschool, we’re here to support every child’s learning journey. If your child is eligible for ‘Early Education and Childcare funding’ from the Local Authority, we’ll ask you to complete a claim form at the start of your child's journey with us. This helps us access funding on your behalf to cover your child’s sessions. If your child's circumstances change we will ask you to provide an updated claim form.

The amount of funding we receive is based on your child’s ‘Individual Cycle of Eligibility.’ Sometimes, children may use more hours than their allocated entitlement for the term. If that happens we will ask you to settle the fees for any additional hours allocated.

Funding Entitlements

  • 15 hours per week of funded early education for most children.
  • 30 hours per week for families eligible for the Working Parent Entitlement (term-time only).

Funding is available from the date the place is offered until the end of the term after your child turns 5.

Working Parent Entitlement & Funding

Parents who qualify for the Working Parent Entitlement can receive up to 30 hours of funded early education per week. However, at The Hamlet Preschool, we are able to accept a maximum of 25 hours per week during term time.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss additional hours, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We're happy to help!

Inclusive Support for Every Child

We welcome all children and are dedicated to supporting their educational journey. We actively identify children who may be eligible for additional funding, including:

  • Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)
  • Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs)
  • Special Educational Needs and Disability Inclusion Fund (SENDIF)

We also explore other available funding options to ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive.

Session Fees

We offer flexible options to suit your child’s needs:

  • Full 5-hour session: £47.25
  • Extensions to regular sessions: £9.50 per hour

If you’d like to add extra hours or extend your child’s sessions, please speak with our Preschool Manager in advance to confirm availability.

Payment Information

Fees are payable termly in advance. Invoices will be sent out before the start of each new term for your convenience.

 

Contribution for Resources

The funding we receive from the local authority covers the cost of childcare but does not include the cost of essential resources. We kindly ask for a voluntary contribution of £3.00 per session, broken down as follows:

  • £1.00 for food consumables (e.g., snacks)

  • £2.00 for non-food consumables (e.g., nappies, wipes, sun cream)

If you're unable or prefer not to make this contribution, we ask that you provide your child with their snack, nappies, wipes, and sun cream for each session.

For more details, you can request a copy of our Preschool Fees and Charges Policy

Absence Policy

We understand that absences can happen for many reasons. Please review our policy to help us ensure smooth communication and continued care for your child.

Absences

If your child is absent due to illness, appointments, or family holidays during scheduled sessions, fees will still apply.

Late Arrivals

If your child will be late, please let us know in advance. If we haven’t heard from you, we’ll contact you to check in.

Extended Absences

If your child misses two or more consecutive sessions without prior notice, we may cancel their space. You’ll receive written confirmation if this happens.

Notifying Us

Parents and carers must inform us of any absences before 10:00 AM on the first day of absence.

For any planned absences longer than two weeks, please submit a written request to the Preschool Manager. Please note:

  • We can’t guarantee that your child’s place will be held.
  • If your child’s place is funded by Early Education and Childcare Entitlements, we must inform the Local Authority, who may withdraw funding during this period.

Unauthorised or Unexplained Absence

If your child is absent without notice or has unauthorised absences for two weeks or more, the Local Authority may stop funding your child’s place. In this case, The Hamlet will invoice parents/carers directly for the missed sessions.

Absences Due to Illness

For prolonged illnesses, we can submit a request to the Local Authority to continue funding. Approval is at their discretion.

Children Supported by Social Services

If your child is under support from Children’s Services (e.g. a child protection plan), we are required to inform their social worker or key contact of any absences and known reasons.

Changes to Attendance or Termination of Preschool Place

We understand that plans can change. To ensure smooth transitions and appropriate staffing, please review the following guidelines regarding changes to attendance or ending your child’s place at preschool.

Changes to Agreed Sessions

If you wish to change your child’s scheduled days (e.g. swapping or reducing sessions), please provide at least 6 weeks’ written notice.

  • All changes are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
  • Requests must be made in writing to the Preschool Manager.

Discontinuation of Attendance

To end your child’s place at the preschool, 6 weeks’ written notice is required once a place has been confirmed and paperwork completed.

  • Notice must be submitted to the Preschool Manager in writing.
  • If your child leaves before the end of the notice period, we may request funding from the Local Authority for the remaining sessions.
  • Any applicable fees within your childcare contract will also be invoiced.

Unreported Absence

If a child is absent for two weeks or more without any communication from the parent/carer, we reserve the right to cancel their place.

  • In this case, we will contact you in writing with confirmation.

Funding Transfers

If you move your child to a new provider during the notice period:

  • Your Early Education and Childcare Entitlement (funding) can be transferred to the new setting by the Local Authority, where eligibility is met. 

If your child is unable to attend a session for any reason, please contact us as soon as possible to keep us informed.

Late Collection Policy

We understand that delays can happen, but to ensure fairness to our staff and maintain smooth operations, we have a clear policy for late collections. Late Collection Fees

Late Collection Fees

If a child is collected after 2:15 PM,  a late collection fee will apply. The following process will be followed:

  • Staff will record the actual collection time on our register.
  • A flat fee of £5.00 will be charged for every 10-minute period (or part thereof) that a parent/carer is late.
  • Invoices for late fees must be paid within 7 days of receipt.

 Special Arrangements

If you are aware of an unavoidable delay, please contact us as soon as possible.
Late fees and payments may be waived only if prior arrangements have been agreed in writing and while your childcare contract remains active.