Fees

It is our intention to make our setting accessible to children and families from all sections of the local community. We aim to ensure that all sections of our community have access to the setting through open, fair and clearly communicated procedures.

We are open for 38 weeks of the year and our opening hours are as follows:

Monday – 8.45 am to 12.00 pm (morning only)
Tuesday – 8.45 am to 12.00 pm (morning); 12.00 pm to 3.00 pm (afternoon)
Wednesday – 8.45 am to 12.00 pm (morning); 12.00 pm to 3.00 pm (afternoon)
Thursday – 8.45 am to 12.00 pm (morning); 12.00 pm to 3.00 pm (afternoon)
Friday – 8.45 am to 12.00 pm (morning only)

Fee payment

Fees are due at the beginning of each half term and must be paid within 14 days.
Fees are payable in full in respect of any period of absence, due to accommodation, staff and other overheads.
All 3 and 4 year olds are eligible for Free Entitlement Funding which entitles them to a maximum of 15 hours funded nursery education per week for a maximum of 38 weeks from the term after their third birthday. If a child is eligible for Free Entitlement we will ask parents to complete a Parental Declaration in order for the setting to claim the grant on the parent’s behalf.

Free Entitlement (FE)

For those children accessing Free Entitlement (FE) for Two, Three and Four Year Olds, our pattern of delivery for Free Entitlement is as follows:
- Monday – 9.30 am to 12.00 pm (morning only)
- Tuesday – 9.30 am to 12.00 pm (morning); 12.00 pm to 2.30 pm (afternoon)
- Wednesday – 9.30 am to 12.00 pm (morning); 12.00 pm to 2.30 pm (afternoon)
- Thursday – 9.30 am to 12.00 pm (morning); 12.00 pm to 2.30 pm (afternoon)
- Friday – 9.30 am to 12.00 pm (morning only)
Each Free Entitlement (FE) place is completely free at the point of delivery, therefore:
- there are no registration/administration fees, payment up front or non-refundable deposits;
- there is no requirement for a child to access additional hours on top of the free hours;
- there is no charge for anything additional e.g materials, snacks or drinks as these are part of the FE hours;
- there is no charge for extra curricula activities (however a suggestion of a voluntary contribution maybe made.

Families whose children who are accessing Free Entitlement and who are attending the full three hour session will be charged for 0.5 hours per session (the difference between the full session and the FE pattern of delivery). Families whose children attend more than the Free Entitlement hours maybe charged for extra curricula activities.
The setting receives nursery Free Entitlement (FE) for 2, 3 and 4 year olds via West Sussex County Council. The funding criteria is reviewed regularly and communicated via the Early Childhood Service which may be contacted as follows: Early Childhood Service, St James Campus, St James Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7HA, Tel: 01243 777807.

The Manager has the right to apply for two year old funding if the family is in receipt of any of the following benefits:

Income support
Income based job seekers allowance
Employment and support allowance
Guaranteed element of state pension credit
Child tax credit
Working tax credit

Changes to Fees and Sessions

We will give a half terms notice of any increase in fees.
We ask that parents give a half terms notice for any reduction in the numbers of sessions their child is attending or they will be liable for that half terms fees.
If a parent increases the number of sessions a child attends after the headcount date for grant funding, the setting reserves the right to charge for these additional sessions, on condition that parents are notified when reserving the increased sessions.
We reserve the right to implement a weekly payment plan in specific circumstances where parents are experiencing difficulties in paying fees.

This policy was adopted at a meeting of Camelsdale Preschool Committee

Held on: 12th November 2015
Review Date: October 2021

Non-payment of Fees

Policy

It is our intention to pursue all unpaid fees through the County Court for the recovery of the setting’s money. We aim to ensure financial stability of the setting by having a fair and consistent process for pursuing non-payment of fees.

Procedures

We fully inform parent/carers of the fee payment structure of the setting, in writing, at induction.
We issue invoices to parents when fees are due. The invoice will give details of the session being paid for and the rate that is charged.
If a family has used the services provided by the setting without payment or their payment has been dishonoured the setting will begin the following staged procedure:

Issue an ‘Overdue Account’ letter asking for payment in full within seven days. If payment is received within seven days, no further action will be taken.
If payment is not received a second warning letter will be issued asking for immediate payment, in full in seven days plus a £10.00 administration fee. If payment is received within seven days, no further action will be taken.
If after seven days full payment, or a payment plan, agreed by the setting’s management, has not been received a final warning letter will be issued plus a further £10.00 administration fee. At this stage, the child(ren) will be unable to use the services of the setting until payment is received in full. If payment is received within seven days, no further action will be taken.
If payment is not received within seven days the setting will immediately begin proceedings in the County Court for which we will charge an administration of £50 and all court costs.

This policy was adopted at a meeting of: Camelsdale Preschool Committee

Held on: 12th October 2015

Date to be reviewed: October 2021