Meals, Snacks, Consumables & Additional Charges
Consumables and Additional Charges Policy (Funded Hours)
Additional charges may apply when your child attends childcare with one of our registered childminders, including when you are using government funded childcare hours (15 or 30 hours).
We aim to ensure all charges are clear, transparent, and communicated to families in advance.
Government Funded Hours,
What They Cover
Government Funded Hours, What They Cover
Government funded childcare hours are provided to support the cost of childcare and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision only.
This means that funded hours cover:
- Supervision and care of your child during the funded hour
- Delivery of the EYFS framework (learning and development opportunities)
What Funded Hours Do Not Cover
Government funding does not cover additional items or enhanced services that fall outside the basic childcare and EYFS provision.
This may include (but is not limited to):
- Meals, drinks & snacks
- Nappies & wipes
- Suncream
- Toiletries and hygiene items
- Trips and outings
- Activities requiring specialist equipment or materials
Because these items are not covered by government funding, childcare providers are legally able to charge for them separately.
How Our Childminders Apply Additional Charges
Where additional charges apply, these will always be clearly listed on your childminder’s profile, as well as any invoices. As every childminder is independent, additional charges may vary between providers.
If you would like a more detailed breakdown of what these charges relate to, please speak directly to your childminder.
Please note that providers are not obliged to offer funded hours and have the right to choose not to offer them, or to reduce the number of funded hours available. If this applies, it will be clearly displayed on their profile and communicated to you before sign-up.
Alternative Options
Additional charges are not mandatory and are not a condition of using funded hours. For more information on how to opt out of additional charges, please speak to your childminder to discuss alternative options.
