We offer government-funded early education places in line with the Early Years Funding Guidance (January 2026). This page explains what funded hours we offer, how they can be taken, and what (if any) optional charges may apply.

 

Funded Hours We Offer

​We offer the following funded early education entitlements, subject to availability and eligibility:

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• ☐ 15 hours universal funding for 3- and 4-year-olds: works out as 12 hours max spread over 48 weeks

• ☐ 30 hours extended funding for eligible working parents of children aged 9 months plus: works out as 24 hours max spread over 48 weeks

• ☐ 15 hours free for two funding for eligible 2-year-olds: works out as 12 hours max spread over 48 weeks 

 

​Funded hours are provided free at the point of delivery.

 

How Funded Hours Can Be Taken:
 

Funded hours can be accessed in the following ways and these are our set sessions:

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• Days: Monday to Friday

• Session times: 8am - 1pm / 1.15-6.15pm / 8am-6pm

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Funded hours may be taken as part of a session or alongside paid childcare hours.

If you want a funded space with no wrap-around hours, you will use 10 hours funding per week for Universal funded places and 20 hours funding per week for extended funded places, allowing you to use your remaining entitlement elsewhere should you choose to. If you want to pay for additional wrap-around hours, we will deduct 12 hours (universal funding) or 24 hours (extended funding) from your invoice. 

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Additional Paid Childcare Hours

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If you choose to add wrap-around childcare in addition to your funded hours, or if you are not entitled to any funding, our current fees are:

 

• Hourly rate:

  • Under two's £9.35

  • Two year olds £8.80

  • 3 & 4 year olds £8.25

• Session rate 8am-1pm / 1.15-6.15pm: 

  • Under two's £45​

  • Two year olds £42.50

  • 3 & 4 year olds £41.00

• Full day rate 8am-6pm:

  • Under two's £85​

  • Two year olds £80

  • 3 & 4 year olds £75

• Early drop off 7.30-8am or Late pick up 6-6.30pm

  • £4.50 per child​

These charges apply only to hours not covered by funding.

Optional Charges (Voluntary)

We may offer optional extras. These are not compulsory and parents may choose not to pay for them while still accessing funded hours. If your child is entitled to EYPP funding, all meals, forest school sessions, outings and events are free for your child on Universal hours

Optional charges include:

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• Meals and snacks:

  • 80p for breakfast

  • £1.25 for snack

  • ​£2.25 for tea

    Parents can choose to fully opt out of nursery meals if they prefer and may provide their own food by completing a meal agreement form

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• Consumables (nappies, wipes, nappy sacks, sun cream) NOT PROVIDED BY THE NURSERY

• Baby formula NOT PROVIDED BY THE NURSERY]

• ​Optional activities

  • Forest School £3 per session or £5 for two sessions

  • Events (priced per event)

  • Outings (priced per outing)

Any optional charges will be clearly itemised on invoices.

What We Do NOT Charge For

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• Access to funded early education hours

• Registration or administration of funded places

• Mandatory “top-up” fees linked to funded hours

Invoices & Transparency

Our invoices clearly show:

• Funded hours claimed

• Paid childcare hours

• Any optional extras (only if chosen)

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You will never be charged a compulsory fee in order to access your funded entitlement.

Parent Agreements

Parents accessing funded hours will be asked to sign a funding agreement, which explains:

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• How funded hours are delivered

• How optional extras work

• How changes to attendance or eligibility are managed

Ofsted & Registration Details

 

• Ofsted registration number: EY499277

• Most recent inspection outcome: GOOD

 

Questions About Funding?

If you would like to discuss funded hours or check your eligibility, please contact us:

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📧 Email: 

squirrellodgenursery@hotmail.com

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