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Funded Only Places at Dottie Tots Nursery School

This page explains how we deliver funded only places at Dottie Tots Nursery School.

Funded Entitlements We Offer

We offer funded early education places in line with Department for Education (DfE) guidance for eligible children:

Up to 30 hours for eligible working parents of children aged 9 months to 2 years
Up to 30 hours for eligible working parents of 2-year-olds
Universal 15 hours for all 3- and 4-year-olds
Up to 30 hours for eligible working parents of 3- and 4-year-olds

Eligibility for working-parent entitlements must be confirmed and reconfirmed via HMRC. Funded only places are free at the point of delivery and cover early education and childcare only. Funded entitlements are subject to eligibility, confirmation deadlines, and availability within our published funded session structure.

When Funded Hours Can Be Used

Funded only places are available:

Monday to Friday
10:00am to 5:00pm
As a stretched offer across 51 weeks' the year

Funded hours are delivered only within our published funded session structure and are subject to availability. Access to a funded only place is not conditional on purchasing additional hours or services. Families wishing to access childcare outside of these funded session times must apply for a separate private place, in line with our Admissions Policy and subject to availability.

Food Provision Charges

Families may choose to purchase meals and snacks provided by the nursery:

Hot lunch: £3.50 per day (Bentley and Churt)
Hot tea: £3.50 per day (Kingsley)
Snacks: £2.00 per day (all nurseries)
Tea: £2.50 per day (Bentley and Churt)

Food provision is optional and is not included within funded only place. Families may choose to provide their own food. Any food brought from home must comply with our Food and Drink Policy, which sets out requirements to support children’s health, safety, and allergy management. Choosing not to purchase nursery food provision will not affect access to a funded place.

The following optional charges may apply if families choose to opt in. These charges are not a condition of accessing a funded only place.

Voluntary Consumables Contribution - £3.00 daily

Families may choose to make a voluntary contribution towards non-food consumables that are not included in funded entitlement hours.

This may include items such as:

Personal care and hygiene items
Clothing and protective items
Comfort and rest items
Additional communication and assessment tools

This contribution is optional. Families may provide their own suitable alternatives, and choosing not to opt in will not affect access to a funded only place.

Voluntary Activities Contribution - £7.80 daily

Families may also choose to make a voluntary contribution towards additional activities and experiences that go beyond the statutory EYFS curriculum.

This may include:

Specialist sessions (e.g. visiting teachers or workshops)
Trips, visits, and visitors
Use of additional learning spaces
Seasonal events and celebrations
Optional home learning resources

Children who do not opt in will not be disadvantaged and will continue to access the EYFS curriculum and appropriate alternative provision.

Alternatives

All optional charges are voluntary. Reasonable alternatives are available, including providing your own items or meals and accessing suitable EYFS alternatives where optional activities are not taken up. Choosing not to opt into optional charges will not affect access to a funded place.