Pricing

At Little Smarties Cheltenham we have an inclusive price which means that there are no hidden surprises. Our fees cover all meals, nappies, accessories, milk (of your choice).

The exception is when your child is entitled to free care under the Government’s Free Funding for 2,3 and 4 year olds. This funding covers basic childcare costs, and so additional drinks, snacks, food, nappies and accessories etc will be charged as extra during your ‘free funded’ period only. The funding covers up to 15 hours per week over school terms, but we stretch this to cover 50 weeks a year. The Government is planning to extend the offer for 3 and 4 year olds to up to 30 hours per week from September 2017.

There are different fee arrangements depending on the age of your child. The fees are discounted if your child comes for a full day and further discounted if they come for a full week.

Fees are set once a year and changes will reflect local labour market conditions, government policy regarding funding and other market factors.

Cheltenham Pricing Structure. Prices are valid from 1st April

Under Two’s

…up to September 2024 (prior to funding change)

Up to September 2024 when funding starts	£8.10 per hour
For full timers	£7.40 per hour

…Under Twos after September 2024 (when funding starts)

Fees for non-funded hours	£8.25 per hour
Fees for non-funded hours for full timers	£7.45 per hour
Charge for food and ancillaries for every hour of funding	£1.70 per hour

Over Two’s (in receipt of funding)

Fees for non-funded hours	£7.90 per hour
Fees for non-funded hours for full timers	£7.20 per hour
Charge for food and ancillaries for every hour of funding	£1.70 per hour

Note: Maximum funding over 50 week is 11.4 hours per week for a child in receipt of 15 hours and 22.8 hours per week for a child eligible for 30 hours. This is because we stretch the 38 week term of funding over 50 weeks.

Note: Funding starts in the term after your child’s birthday. The cut off dates are 31^st December for the Spring term, 31^st March for the Summer term and 31^st August for the Autumn term.

Note: Your child must be at least 9 months old prior to 31^st August 24 to receive funding from September.

Childcare Vouchers

We accept most childcare vouchers from employers. Vouchers are non-taxable and exempt from National Insurance contributions from employees, whilst offering NI savings for employers. Both parents are eligible to claim as long as they are both in employment.

Tax Credits

Tax credits are available from HM Revenue and Customs, based on your circumstances. You may be able to access help with the cost of childcare if you are working for a minimum of 16 hours per week.

Free Government Funding

The Government funds local authorities to offer early education places free for 2 year olds (subject to certain criteria) and for 3 and 4 year olds. Little Smarties is part of this scheme and receives a basic amount per hour for your child. Three year old children will be eligible following the first term after their third birthday. The funding covers basic childcare and does not included consumables such as food and drinks, nappies and accessories. We are therefore entitled to charge extra for these items and this takes the form of an hourly charge for the hours that your child is in receipt of free funding.

Two year old funding is applied for through Gloucetershire County Council as this is subject to individual criteria. http://gloucestershire.gov.uk/Achieving-2-Year-Olds