Class 1 sessions run during week days  (school term time) Sessions are agreed and paid for termly in full and in advance. The rate per session (option 1 and option 2 each) for children aged 2 years old is £125.00. From the start of the term after a child turns 3 years old it is £87.50 per session. (Sessions cannot be split.)

(NEW Sessions arrangements from September 2025)

OPTION 1:

Mon 9am-3pm; Tues 9am-3pm; Wed 9am-12pm; = (15 hours) (during term time) £125.00 (2 yrs) / £87.50 (from term after 3yrs) per week

OPTION 2:

Wed 12.15pm-3.15pm; Thur 9am-3pm; Fri 9am-3pm; = (15 hours) (during term time) £125.00 (2 yrs) / £87.50 (from term after 3yrs) per week

OPTION 3:

All of the above (Option 1 + Option 2) = (30 hours) (during term time)

All three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early years funding from Essex County Council (from the term after they turn 3 years old) until they either go into reception class or reach compulsory school age (the term following their 5th birthday.)  Some parents/carers are entitled to funding from Essex County Council. This funding would be paid directly to the academy on a termly basis if you are entitled. If so, each term Kelvedon Academy will then ask you to sign a parent/carer agreement form. Alternatively, pre agreed fees are payable by parents a term in advance through the school's payment system (Arbor), or by Childcare vouchers.

Class 2 sessions: Kelvedon Academy Nursery offers 15 hour placements on with of the following options: (Unfortunately we are unable to split these options or arrange the 15 hours over alternative days.)

OPTION 1: Mon 9am-3pm; Tues 9am-3pm; Wed 9am-12pm; = (15 hours) (during term time) £87.50 per week

OPTION 2: Wed 12pm-3pm; Thur 9am-3pm; Fri 9am-3pm; = (15 hours) (during term time) £87.50 per week

OPTION 3: All of the above (Option 1 + Option 2) = (30 hours) (during term time) £175.00 per week

* Parents/Carers wishing to pay a top up to 30 hours can apply for both options if places are available. 

Voucher Payments

Nursery fees can be paid for using various Childcare Vouchers. If you are paying in this manner, please advise nursery@kelvedonacademy.com by email and send a copy of any remittance that you receive as proof of payment so that your child's Arbor account can be credited accordingly. 

(If paying by Edenred voucher, please quote account number P21238551.)

(If paying by Care-4 voucher, please quote account number 55074834.)

(If paying by Pluxee voucher, please quote account ID 922280.)

(If aying by Bravo voucher, select Kelvedon Academy Nursery.)

Parents / carers are provided with a termly invoice for nursery fees. This includes a full breakdown of all fees and deadline dates for any payments owing.

Fees are strictly payable in advance if the term in full. 

If parents fail to make necessary applications by the given deadline for their Nursery funding they will be eligible to pay for their nursery fees in full.

Click here for the 26/27 Funding Parent Agreement form

How Often Do I Need to Complete a Funding Form?

To receive your child’s funded nursery hours, you’ll need to complete a form:

Once every term (3 times a year)

• Autumn Term (Sept–Dec)

• Spring Term (Jan–Mar/Apr)

• Summer Term (Apr–July)

Why is this needed?

This helps us to:

• Confirm your child’s place

• Make sure funding is claimed correctly

• Update any changes to your details

Don’t forget

• Forms must be completed on time to secure your funding

• Late forms may delay or affect your funded hours

In the UK, nursery funding (often called “early years funding” or “free childcare”) provides government support to help cover childcare costs for young children. The entitlements differ slightly for 2-year-olds and 3–4-year-olds.

Nursery Funding for 2–3 Year Olds

We are pleased to offer funded early education places for eligible 2–3 year olds, helping families access high-quality childcare and early learning.

15 Hours Funded Childcare (Age 2)

Some 2-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week (up to 570 hours per year) if their family meets certain criteria set by the government.

Your child may be eligible if you receive support such as:

• Universal Credit (with household income within thresholds)

• Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act

• Or if your child:

  • Is looked after by the local authority

  • Has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan

  • Receives Disability Living Allowance

Working parents of 2-year-olds: possible extra hours

If you are a working parent, you may be eligible for the “working families entitlement”, which has been expanding.

This means:

• You may get 15 hours from age 2 https://www.essex.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families/early-years-and-childcare/help-childcare-costs/15-hours-funded

• And if also eligible for working parents’ childcare, you may be able to access up to 30 hours combined in some cases (via two schemes together) https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/apply-for-free-childcare-if-youre-working

How to Apply

• For 2-year-old funding: Apply through your local council. 

• For 30 hours funding: Apply online via the government childcare service.

Once approved, you will receive a code which must be provided to the school or nursery on the completed funding form.

Nursery Funding for 3–4 Year Olds (UK)

All children aged 3 to 4 in the UK are entitled to funded early education, designed to support their learning and help families with childcare costs.

Universal 15 Hours (All Families)

Every child is eligible for:

• 15 hours of free childcare per week

• Available for 38 weeks per year (term-time)

• Equivalent to 570 hours annually

This is known as the universal entitlement and is available regardless of family income or employment status.

Extended 30 Hours (Working Families)

Eligible working families may receive:

• An additional 15 hours (30 hours total per week)

• For 38 weeks per year (1,140 hours annually)

Eligibility criteria:

• Parent(s) must be working (including self-employed)

• Each parent earns at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at National Minimum Wage

• Each parent earns less than £100,000 per year

• Applies to single-parent households as well

When Funding Starts

Funding begins the term after your child turns 3:

• Born 1 September – 31 December → starts in January term

• Born 1 January – 31 March → starts in April term

• Born 1 April – 31 August → starts in September term

Important Information

• Funded hours usually cover education and care only

Applying for 30 Hours

To access the extended entitlement:

1. Apply online via HMRC Childcare Service https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-childcare-account

2. Receive an eligibility code

3. Provide the code to your childcare provider

4. Reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months

Further informtion on Nursery funding can be found here: https://eycp.essex.gov.uk/funding/