Fees & Funding

The pre-school receives nursery education funding for eligible two, three and four year olds. Children are entitled to receive a maximum of 570 hours of free early education over 38 weeks of the year, the term following their second or third birthday. A maximum of 15 hours per week, term time only, at approved childcare settings. Some families maybe entitled to 30 hours free childcare, please see the Central Bedfordshire document below for further details

 Central Bedfordshire Free Child Care poster 

Fees for children not eligible for funding or in excess of their 15 funded hours are outlined in the table below (correct at the time of printing as agreed by the Governors). Invoices will be issued and payable at the start of each half term in advance. Fees continue to be payable if a child is absent. In cases of prolonged absence, parents should consult the committee about fee payment.

 Each child's attendance at the group is conditional upon continued payment of any necessary fees, a Funding and Fee Payment Policy is in place. There is also a registration fee of £10.00 for non-funded children which is payable when accepting a place and is non-refundable.

Fee Structure from September 2023

If you think you are eligible for 2 year old funding click here for more information  

Click here for more information regarding free childcare for all 3 and 4 year olds 

Click here for more information regarding free childcare for working parents of children aged 3 and 4years old

Early Years Pupil Premium 

Nurseries, pre-schools, childminders and other childcare providers can claim extra funding through the Early Years Pupil Premium.

 This applies to 3 and 4-year-old children whose:

• parents receive certain benefits
• or who have been adopted
• or are in care
•  

Busy Bees can use the funding to improve the quality of the early years education that they provide. This could include, for example, additional training for staff on early language development.

How to apply

If you believe you are entitled to funding, please contact Busy Bees 

How do I qualify?

The child must attend a setting in Central Bedfordshire. Parents / carers who receive any of the following will qualify for the Early Years Pupil Premium:

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, providing you do not also receive Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
•  

Or, if they have been:

• looked after by us for at least 1 day
• have been adopted from our care
• have left care through special guardianship, and subject to a child arrangement order setting out with whom they are to live (formerly known as residence orders) in Central Bedfordshire

If you have any queries regarding the above please call the School Office  or Busy Bees