Badgers Bridge Fee Structure

At Badgers Bridge we believe in open communication with all parents/carers and are presenting this fees structure to ensure that everyone fully understands our charges. We are open for 38 weeks per year and closed on Bank Holidays. We also open for a few days, most weeks during the holidays, but this is invoiced separately and payable through the Baby’s Days system.

Fees are payable monthly in advance in accordance with the rates in force at the time.  Fees are reviewed twice per annum or in the event of amendments to the Statutory framework for the EYFS. Advanced written notice of rate changes will be provided and we ask for a £40 registration fee. (We don’t charge this for parents receiving Free Early Education FF2)

Once a child becomes funded for either 15 or 30 hours, we ask parents to either opt in or opt out for our extended package. The extended package covers consumables, healthy snacks, extra curricular activities such as Outward Bound, forest School, Nature Activities, Yoga etc. For those parents opting out of this provision we ask that you supply all consumables such as snacks, wipes, sun-cream, and your child will receive our basic care package with no extras.

Please follow this link that will take you through the application of the working parent funding – 30 Hours Free Childcare

The following information details how your child can access their FEE hours at Badgers Bridge.

All children become eligible for Free Early Education the term after they become 3. Some 2-year-olds and under twos may also be eligible for funding.  Parents/guardians are asked to check with the manager to find out if their child qualifies.

If eligible, you are then able to apply online by using the following link – Free for 2 Funding

A child is entitled to FEE at the start of the term, after their second (if qualified), or third birthday in line with the Department for Education table below:

Each child will be funded for either 15 or 30 hours per week over a minimum of 2 days. No session is to be longer than 10 hours per day or shorter than 2.5 hours per day for 38 weeks per year.

30 hours funding is limited to only 8 children a year as it puts a huge strain on us financially because of the large shortfall given to us from the government. Please ask us if we have spaces if you want to apply.

At Badgers Bridge the FEE hours are offered flexibly adhering to the above guidelines. We will contact you prior to the start of the term to confirm how many FEE hours you wish to utilise. You must confirm this by signing a parental declaration form. The claim process is undertaken by the nursery and the FEE sessions provided will be clearly shown on your invoice.

Children attending extra days/sessions in addition to their FEE will be charged at our current rates as shown in the table on page 1. You will be invoiced in the usual way showing how many FEE hours your child is receiving in that period and what the additional fee charges are. Any additional services provided will be charged for and are not covered by the FEE, outings for example.

Please note that the FEE can be split between 2 providers up to a maximum of 30 hours. FEE only covers education. It does not cover food, outings, extra-curricular activities, Ofsted fees, staff training, PPE and other resources. Our voluntary consumable charge will cover this.

No refund will be given in the event of a child’s absence due to illness, holiday or any other reason as Badgers Bridge is obliged to commit to staff and overhead costs months in advance which cannot be retrieved.

Should Badgers Bridge be unable to open due to bad weather, Polling Day or any other unforeseen circumstances, parents will not be refunded for a chargeable session or have it discounted from their next invoice. Should closure need to take place part way through a session, a refund will not be given in this instance. In some cases, a swap may be possible.

Children must be collected promptly at the end of a session/day. Should a parent fail to collect their child within 10 minutes of the session/day end, we reserve the option to charge a late collection fee of £5, and a further £25 per every half hour thereafter.

Fees are to be paid within 2 weeks of the invoice date. If you are experiencing financial hardship please speak, in confidence, to the manager so that alternative payment arrangements can be made. If without negotiation, fees are not settled, we are left with no alternative but to withdraw your child’s place and if necessary, take legal action to recover the amount owed. Children in receipt of Free Early Education will be unable to access any additional fee-paying hours until outstanding fees are settled.

Late fee payments will incur a late payment charge. If fees are later than the 20th of the month a late payment fee of £35 will be added.

We ask for a £40 non-refundable registration fee in advance of acceptance of the place. A registration fee is NOT required for children who are only accessing the Free Early Education.(FF2)

Invoices can be settled by Bank transfer or cash. We also accept childcare vouchers.

This document outlines optional services available to parents. Government funded childcare covers core education and care only in line with the Early Years Entitlement and Kent County Council Provider Agreement. If you choose to opt in to all of services then the daily cost will be £12. Parents may choose to opt in or out of each service individually. Opting out will not affect a child’s funded place. However, parents who opt out will have to supply snacks, consumables, ingredients for cooking activities etc.

Parents may change their selections by providing a full terms written notice. Children who do not participate in optional services will continue to receive provision in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).