Fees, Funding & Childcare Costs at Innsworth Preschool
Helping you understand childcare support options and providing affordable, high quality education.
Choosing childcare is one of the biggest financial decisions families make, and we believe it is important to be open, clear and realistic about costs from the very beginning.
At Innsworth Preschool, we support children aged 2, 3 and 4 years, with places limited to 30 children per session. This allows us to provide a calm, well-managed environment where children are known, supported and given the attention they need, while also helping families clearly understand what they are paying for and why.
Value for Families
Innsworth Preschool is a term-time only setting, which means families pay for childcare during school terms rather than across the full year. This is an important difference between us and many nurseries in the local area.
Many full-day nurseries operate for most of the year, even if a child only attends during term time. This can mean families are paying across far more weeks than they actually need. By contrast, our term-time model keeps childcare more closely aligned with the school year, which many families find more practical and more manageable.
We have chosen this approach deliberately. It allows us to:
- Keep childcare more affordable
- Align closely with the school year
- Focus funding where it matters most
- Avoid passing unnecessary costs on to parents
We also keep numbers to 30 children per session as a deliberate choice. This helps us provide a calmer, better-supported environment where children are known as individuals and families receive a more personal experience.
As an independent, family-run preschool, we are not part of a large chain or franchise. This means decisions are made locally, with families and children in mind, rather than to meet external targets or shareholder expectations. We regularly review local childcare costs to ensure our fees remain competitive while still allowing us to invest in staff, resources and the learning environment.
Our aim is simple: to provide excellent care, strong early learning foundations, and clear value for families, without compromising on quality, safety or experience.
Funded Sessions, Private Sessions and Our Preschool Day (8am-6pm)
Innsworth Preschool is a term-time only preschool for children aged 2, 3 and 4 years, open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm.
We offer two 5-hour sessions each day:
- Morning Session: 8:00am to 1:00pm
- Afternoon Session: 1:00pm to 6:00pm
We accept government-funded childcare for eligible families. Funded families can use their hours for half days or full days, in line with our session structure and local funding rules. Funding is applied within our set session structure rather than as flexible hourly use.
For families booking privately, our fees are:
- £6 per hour
- £30 for one 5-hour session
- £60 for a full 10-hour day
Families using funded hours can also pay for extra sessions or extra days, subject to availability.
Families who would like their child to attend from 9:00am to 3:00pm would need to book both the Morning Session and the Afternoon Session. Parents can then choose their preferred drop-off and collection times within those booked sessions.
We are unable to book part of a session block, such as only booking until 3:00pm, because each booked place uses one of our limited session spaces. If a child is booked into the afternoon session, that place cannot usually be offered to another child for the remaining part of the session. For this reason, families need to book the full session block, even if they choose to collect earlier.
This session structure allows us to plan staffing, ratios, meals, routines and children’s care safely and consistently.
For children joining an early years setting for the first time, especially younger children, we may recommend a particular session pattern to support settling-in. In some cases, afternoon sessions may be suggested as a gentler transition before a child moves into morning sessions. This will depend on the child’s needs, wellbeing, readiness for group care, and the preschool’s professional judgement.
Government Funding and What It Covers
We accept government-funded childcare for eligible children, subject to age, eligibility, term dates, funding rules and valid funding codes.
This may include:
- Universal early years funding
- Working-parent funded childcare entitlements
- Support-based funding for eligible two-year-olds
Funding helps cover the cost of your child’s early education and care during funded hours.
Funding contributes towards:
- Staffing and supervision
- Learning and development activities
- Resources and equipment
- Care provided during funded sessions
Funding does not include optional items such as:
- Meals
- Additional sessions or extra days
- Optional extras
- Any time outside funded hours
- Consumable items or services chosen by parents
We do not charge top-up fees on funded hours. Any additional charges only apply to optional services, meals, consumable items, extra sessions, extra days, or time outside your funded entitlement.
It is the parent or carer’s responsibility to:
- Apply for funding if eligible
- Provide a valid funding code and any required details
- Renew or reconfirm funding when needed
- Tell us promptly if their eligibility, code or funding circumstances change
If funding is not approved, not renewed, or a valid code is not provided in time, any sessions attended will need to be paid for privately.
We are happy to support families with understanding how funding works, but the application, code renewal and ongoing eligibility remain the responsibility of the parent or carer.
Meals and Nutrition
Children spend a significant part of the day with us, so food plays an important role in their energy, wellbeing and ability to learn.
We offer:
- Free breakfast: 8:30am – 9:30am
- Brunch at 11:00am – £4
- Lunch at 2:00pm – £4
Each session includes a meal opportunity, helping ensure children are well fed, settled and ready to focus, regardless of the session they attend.
Meal times are part of the preschool day and support children to develop:
- communication and language
- social skills and turn taking
- independence and self-care
- table manners and healthy eating habits
Meals are freshly prepared, balanced and suitable for young children. Many families choose this option because it provides consistency, reduces daily preparation, and supports food safety and allergen control.
Parents may choose to provide food from home instead. If you do:
- Food must be suitable for your child’s session
- Food must be sent in an insulated cooler bag with an ice pack
- Food must meet allergen and food safety requirements
- A food declaration form must be signed
If a child arrives without suitable food, or the food provided does not meet requirements, we may need to provide food to ensure the child’s welfare and the safe running of the day. Charges may apply where this is necessary.
Nappy and Wipes Service (Optional £2)
Some children still need nappies during the preschool day. To make things simpler for families, we offer an optional Nappy and Wipes Service for £2 per day.
If you choose this option, we will provide nappies and wipes during your child’s session, covering typical use throughout the day.
If you prefer to provide your own, that is absolutely fine. In this case:
- Nappies and wipes must be clearly labelled with your child’s name
- You must provide enough supplies for the full session
All children will be fully supported with hygiene and personal care. The only difference is whether the preschool provides the nappies and wipes, or they are provided by parents.
This is an optional charge for consumable items and is not a condition of accessing funded hours. It will appear as a separate item on invoices for families who choose to opt in.
Optional Enhancements: Farm Experience (£2) and Wellbeing Club (£1)
Alongside our core preschool provision, we offer a small range of optional enhancements that give children access to additional experiences as part of the preschool day.
The Farm Experience – £2 per day
Our Farm Experience is one of the things that makes Innsworth Preschool unique. It has been carefully designed around our children, giving them hands-on outdoor learning that goes far beyond a standard garden or play area.
Children at Innsworth Preschool spend a large part of their day outdoors throughout the year. Outdoor learning is a key part of our approach, not an occasional activity. Children are encouraged to explore, move, investigate, build, plant, dig, harvest, care for the environment and learn through real practical experiences.
Because of this, children should come to preschool in practical clothing that is suitable for outdoor play, changing weather, messy learning and active exploration. We strongly recommend that children do not attend in their best or special clothes, as children may get muddy, wet, sandy, grassy or messy as part of normal preschool learning.
Children are involved in the full process of caring for the farm area. They help choose what we grow, plant seeds, water plants, care for the growing spaces, look after the environment, harvest produce, clean and prepare areas, explore insects and wildlife, and learn through real practical work.
Children also use what they grow and discover in creative, practical ways. This may include making natural paints, potions, herb bags, simple desserts, seasonal crafts and other items linked to what they have planted, harvested or explored. Where appropriate, children may also take items home so they can share their learning and experiences with their families.
This gives children meaningful experiences such as:
- Choosing what fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers and plants to grow
- Planting, watering, harvesting and caring for the growing areas
- Exploring bugs, insects, soil, plants and seasonal changes
- Tasting food they have helped to grow
- Making natural paints, potions, herb bags, simple desserts and seasonal creations
- Taking home items linked to their outdoor learning where appropriate
- Learning where food comes from
- Building confidence through real responsibility
- Developing teamwork, patience, independence and problem-solving skills
Our greenhouse also allows children to explore a wider range of growing experiences, including more unusual fruits, plants and flowers from around the world. This helps children learn about different climates, cultures, food, nature and the wider world in a practical and memorable way.
We often find that children are more willing to try new foods and explore new textures when they have helped grow, care for and harvest them themselves. The Farm Experience supports children’s physical development, communication, confidence, curiosity, resilience and understanding of the natural world.
The Wellbeing Club – £1 per day
We also offer Wellbeing Club, designed to support children’s wellbeing, development and healthy daily habits in a simple and practical way.
Many families tell us they find it difficult to encourage young children with things such as fussy eating, daily vitamins and tooth brushing. The NHS recommends that children aged 1 to 4 years old are given a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout the year. The National Dental Epidemiology Programme 2024 oral health survey also found that tooth decay remains a significant issue for young children in England, with 22.4% of 5-year-old children having experience of dentinal decay.Â
Through Wellbeing Club, we provide high-quality age-appropriate vitamins and support with group tooth brushing using child-sized toothbrushes as part of the preschool day. This helps children become familiar with simple, positive routines that support their health, wellbeing and independence.
We believe healthy routines such as vitamins, tooth brushing, handwashing and self-care sit alongside toilet training as important life skills for young children. These small daily habits help children understand how to look after themselves and build confidence over time.
This includes:
- Daily age-appropriate vitamins
- Group tooth brushing support using child-sized toothbrushes
- Support with healthy routines and self-care
- Encouragement to try positive habits alongside their friends
We often find that children are more willing to try new things when they are with their friends and taking part as part of a group. Wellbeing Club helps children build healthy habits that can support them beyond preschool.
How Enhancements Work
All enhancements are optional. They are not a condition of accessing funded hours.
Where children take part, activities are planned and supervised by the preschool as part of the normal running of the day. Any specific parental information, consent or practical requirements will be shared where needed.
These enhancements allow families to choose additional experiences for their child while helping us continue to invest in high-quality resources and outdoor learning.
Fees, Payments and Next Steps
We believe childcare fees should be clear, transparent and easy to understand. Our aim is to make sure families know exactly what to expect, with no hidden charges or unexpected costs.
Fees are invoiced in advance and are based on the sessions and services your child is booked to attend. This may include:
- Funded hours
- Privately paid hours
- Meals
- Optional extras
Full details of fees, payment schedules and terms are provided before a place is confirmed.
Invoices are normally issued monthly through Tapestry, the app parents use to follow their child’s learning and development at preschool. Fees are payable within 7 days unless a different payment date has been agreed in writing.
Parents can pay using Tapestry Pay or by bank transfer.
Invoices are normally issued monthly and fees are payable within 7 days, unless a different payment date has been agreed in writing.
If an invoice remains unpaid 7 days after the due date, a £30 late payment administration charge may be added in line with our payment terms.
Late collection charges apply at £15.00 per 15-minute block, or part of a 15-minute block. This applies where a child is collected after their booked session time.
Late collection charges are necessary because we operate within strict staffing ratios. A ratio means the required number of staff legally needed to supervise a certain number of children safely. If a child is collected late, staff may need to remain on site beyond their normal working time so that these ratios continue to be met.
At our discretion, we may waive the charge for a genuine one-off late collection. However, repeated late collections will normally be charged, regardless of the reason, because the preschool must continue to meet staffing, safety and supervision requirements.
Start your child's educational journey with us today! Contact us to book a visit or secure a place at Innsworth Preschool. Benefit from our commitment to affordability, excellence, and accessibility, providing your child with an exceptional learning environment.
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Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm
Phone:
01452 739090
