Nursery Fees

Where curious minds create awe and wonder for everyone

Nursery Fees

Where curious minds create awe and wonder for everyone

Nursery Fees

  • Nursery fees are payable weekly or monthly in advance.
  • Monthly payments must be made before the 25th of the month, payments are accepted by cash, standing order, BACS, childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare.
  • Full nursery fees are charged for sickness although no charge is made for bank holidays.
  • There is a discount for pre-booked holidays. Terms and conditions are available on request.
  • A 5% discount is available for siblings, NHS Staff, Armed Forces, Emergency Services and Local Authority Employees.
teacher playing with kids
teacher playing with kids

What is the Government 30 hours free childcare offer?

Lime Tree Nursery is pleased to offer 30 hours funded childcare for all eligible families.
All 3 and 4-year-olds in England currently receive 15 hours a week government funded early education. If their parents are living and working in England, 3 and 4-year-olds may be entitled to 30 hours funded childcare, which is up to 1,140 hours per year in total.
If eligible you will be entitled to access the 30 funded hours from the beginning of the term following your child’s 3rd birthday. At Lime Tree Nursery, we want to make sure that families of all attendance types can utilise this funding to its full potential. This is why we stretch the funding across 50 weeks as opposed to the term time 38 week period. This enables part-time families to access more of the funded hours than would otherwise be available to them if restricted under a term time structure. For more information about how this scheme works, please speak to your nursery manager.

Eligibility - Work and salary requirements

The parent (and their partner where applicable) should be seeking the free childcare to enable them to work. Parents must earn or expect to earn the equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum or Living Wage over the coming three months.
Where a parent is in a ‘start-up period’ (i.e. they are newly self-employed) they do not need to demonstrate that they meet the income criteria for 12 months.
Parents must earn or expect to earn the equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum or Living Wage over the coming three months. You can’t get 30 hours free childcare if you, or your partner, expect to earn £100,000 or more.

Age of Children

Your child/children must be either 3 or 4 years old. You can apply for funding in the term prior to your child’s 3rd birthday but the funding will not apply until the term after they turn 3.

Location

This offer is for working families in England.
If one or both parents is a non-EEA national, the parent applying must have recourse to public funds. If one or both parents is a non-EEA national and the parent applying does not have access to public funds, you will not be eligible.

For more information about eligibility criteria, please visit the Childcare Choices website or download the Department for Education eligibility document.

For more information about 30 hours funding, please contact your local nursery or call 0800 1937330.

Children playing

The Benefits of Preschool

Many families increase their child’s attendance at nursery as they move into the preschool class. An increase in the number of days children attend can help prepare them for the transition to ‘big school’. Three and four year olds are especially keen to develop their social skills and a preschool environment can support this development especially well. Children also benefit from the expansive learning through play opportunities that a highly qualified early years professional can provide, ensuring they leave for school well prepared socially, academically and emotionally.

FAQ

How early do I need to put my child’s name down for a place?

We recommend as soon as possible to secure your place as the nurseries can fill up very fast.

How do I book a place for my child?

You can contact our nursery managers by telephone or email to arrange to have a look around the nursery and complete the paperwork.

Can my child visit before starting their sessions?

To ensure a smooth transition into nursery we recommend at least 3 settling-in visits for all children to enable them to adapt to their new surroundings and to meet staff and children in the room. Where possible, we suggest this is done over 2 weeks to ensure there is time if required, to increase the number of visits.

How often are your nurseries inspected by Ofsted?

OFSTED inspections take place approximately once every cycle, this is normally between 2 and 5 years. New settings are inspected with 2½ years of opening.

Are all staff DBS (police checked)?

Yes, all staff have to have a DBS check completed when they first start at Lime Tree Nursery. All staff are signed up to the DBS update service which allows us to regular check there have been no changes to the DBS status.

Do all staff currently hold a relevant level 3 qualification?

Our staff are qualified to Level 3 in childcare or higher. Staff who do not hold a level 3 qualification are currently studying towards one on our apprenticeship programme.

Are all the staff First aid trained?

All our staff are first aid trained.

How will my child’s progress be checked throughout nursery?

Every child is allocated a key person who will get to know and develop a special bond with your child. They will plan activities based on your child’s interests and complete their learning development journal through observation and link to progress within the EYFS. You will be able to access this through the Family app.

My child has special educational needs and disability (SEND), can they still attend Lime Tree Nursery

They most certainly can. We are a fully inclusive nursery and will adapt our care to the individual needs of each child who attends, where possible. At Lime Tree Nursery, in addition to the SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator) based in the nursery, we have a SEND team who provide support, advice and guidance to the Nursery SENDCo for those children who present with additional needs.

How often will my child play outside?

We go outside daily in all-weathers within nursery and where children have direct access to the outdoors we operate free flow play (children choose whether they want to play inside or out).

Do you go for walk/trips?

Yes, it’s important that the children learn about their the local community. We go out on local walks to the park, to visit the library etc.

How can I pay for my childcare fees?

We accept payment by bank transfer, cash and childcare vouchers. We are registered with most childcare voucher companies for parents who receive childcare vouchers through work.

Do you offer 2,3 & 4yr old funded places?

Yes, we offer funded places for eligible 2 year olds, and 3-4 year olds are eligible for 15 and 30 hours free childcare. You can read more about Tax Free Childcare and funded places here (link to more info).

Is there a family discount available if you have more than one child attending the nursery?

Yes, if you have siblings at nursery, there will be a reduction in fees. Please speak to the Nursery Manager at your nursery for more details.

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