At Circus Day Nursery we offer an inclusive price for all age groups, which means there are no hidden surprises for you on your invoice. Our fees cover all snacks, meals, nappies, accessories, disposal and baby formula milk. (The only exception is when parents are in receipt of Government Free funding for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. This funding covers only basic childcare costs, so additional drinks, snacks, food, nappies and accessories etc will be charged as extra during your ‘free funded’ period only.) Our pricing structure is defined, offering part time and full time sessions, with the full daily rate discounted and weekly rate discounted even further.

A one off registration fee of £75.00 per child applies, to cover all administration and paperwork associated with new starters.

Childcare Vouchers

We accept most childcare vouchers from employers who offer this benefit to their eligible employees as an e-voucher. Vouchers are non-taxable and exempt from NI contributions for employees, whilst offering NI savings for employers. Both parents are eligible to claim as long as they are both in employment. Further information can be found at www.childcarevouchers.co.uk.

Government funding

We are pleased to accept government funding for children aged nine months and older, subject to availability, and we want to remain transparent by sharing this information.

As we are open all year round (excluding Christmas and bank holidays), and to ensure consistency for working parents, the funded hours are spread over 51 weeks. The terms commence on January 1, April 1, and September 1. Please note that although the funding is intended for working parents, the government provides funding for only 38 weeks per year; we spread it over the year for consistency and in accordance with our policies.

As part of this scheme, Circus Day Nursery receives a basic hourly rate for your child, up to 30 hours over 38 weeks, spread across the full year. Whilst the funding covers childcare, it does not include consumables, such as meals, drinks, snacks, nappies, enriched and enhanced activities and events. Please read the terms and conditions here. Outside government-funded hours, the setting charges private rates as shown in the fee structure.

While we are not required to provide funding or cover the full provision of hours, our goal is to support parents as much as possible. Therefore, we currently offer the maximum number of hours and flexibility in our sessions, without restricting specific days or sessions, to support working parents.

Since Circus Day Nursery and Pre-school is a private, all-year-round setting (not term-time only), it benefits both parents and the setting, as well as for budgeting purposes, to provide stretch funding throughout the year instead of just during term time. With this model, it is advisable for parents to view it as an annual commitment, with up to 570/1140 hours per child, pending the government criteria.

The application and validation process takes place on the government website to establish eligibility. If you currently receive tax credits, you might consider completing an assessment on the website to identify the option that best suits your needs and interests.

If you meet the criteria, you will receive a DERN number from the government website. You are responsible for providing it to the setting so it can check session and space availability and notify you accordingly. Please note that the DERN number is only valid for a short period (approximately 3 months) and that ongoing eligibility must be applied for throughout the year.

Any additional sessions beyond the government-funded hours are charged at the private rate and include everything.

Tax credits

Tax credits are available from HM Revenue and Customs, based on household circumstances. You may be able to access help with the cost of ‘Ofsted approved’ childcare, if you are working for a minimum of 16 hours per week. Check on-line at https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/tax-credits for further information and eligibility.