Free Childcare and Fees
Keeping it simple
We've developed a simple funding guide below to make sure you've got all you need to know about the funded childcare options available to you if you're looking for free childcare in Wickham, as well as our fees for those who wish to pay privately. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
At Happy Mindz Day Nursery and Preschool, we are happy to offer funded childcare, on both a stretched and unstretched basis, for eligible families. For more information about the different types of funding and support to pay for childcare that's available and how to establish your eligibility, please see our FAQ section below.
In line with the 'Working Families Entitlement Offer', the Happy Mindz Basic Funded Booking (non-stretched) provides 30 hours per week of completely funded childcare hours across 38 weeks of the year.
Alternatively, for families who would prefer it, the Basic Funded Booking can be stretched to provide 22 hours per week of completely funded hours, 51 weeks of the year.
Where additional sessions/hours are required, beyond the stretched /non-stretched offer, these will be charged as per our normal rates.
There is an option to add all food at an additional charge. Food charges are applied per session at Happy Mindz.
Happy Mindz ‘Basic Funded Booking’ information (9 months to 4 years)
Looking for free, funded childcare? Here's the information you need:
Key features of Basic Funded Bookings
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Completely funded hours with optional food charges.
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Non-stretched sessions can be booked as Full Days or as 6 x 5-hour blocks. Term time only, as designated by the Hampshire school holiday pattern.
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Stretched sessions can be booked as 10-hour blocks or half day sessions eg. am, or pm. (Both term time and non-term time as designated by the Hampshire school holiday pattern).
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School day sessions are available daily and funding can be applied to these, term time only, as designated by the Hampshire school holiday pattern. Out of term time, sessions will be charged as per our fees above.
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Any hours over the stretched / non-stretched offer will be charged as above.
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Parents who choose the Basic Funded Booking may opt to pay an additional voluntary contribution for all meals and snacks (including breakfast), rather than supply their child's food from home. Charges are applicable to each session at a rate of £10.00 per session. This will be invoiced monthly. Food charges are the same regardless of session length.
Free 15 hours Universal Early Years Education
(ages 3 to 4 years)
Free Early Years Education is available to all 3 and 4-year-olds (starting the term after children turn 3), for 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year (or 11 hours per week for the stretched offer).
We are happy to offer sessions to parents wishing to send their children to us for their preschool and use these funded hours.
Stretched hours can be taken as one Full Day session, two Half Day sessions, or by other arrangement until the 11 hours are used.
Parents are welcome to top-up their funded childcare by paying fees for extra hours beyond their free funded hours, should they wish.
If you are interested in using your Universal Early Years Education funding with us, please get in touch and we’d be delighted to discuss your requirements.
We talk about stretched and unstretched options within our fee information because some families who are eligible for free childcare will choose to “stretch” the number of hours they receive, across the full 51 weeks we're open each year. Funded childcare is traditionally designed to cover 38 weeks of the year (for up to 30 hours per week for eligible families) but stretching this can allow families to access childcare all year roound (working out at just over 22 hours per week for eligible families).
Others prefer to use their funded childcare hours during term time (unstretched) and make other arrangements during school holidays.
Some families are eligible for funded childcare, but what you’re eligible for will depend on your specific circumstances and your child’s age.
We encourage you to visit https://childcare.beststartinlife.gov.uk/ to learn more about what is available to you.
Our friendly team are also happy to help you if you require support, as we know it can be difficult to navigate the funding landscape.
For further information about funding, you may find this useful.
All 3 and 4 year olds in Hampshire receive up to 570 universal free childcare hours. Find out more about this here.
Parents of children aged 9 months upwards can access various different funding and support options for childcare and early years education, depending on their circumstances.
Here are some key resources and funding options to consider:
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Free Childcare for Working Parents Eligible families with children aged 9 months to four years old can apply for up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week, 38 weeks of the year. This is equivalent to 1,140 hours per funded year. Parents must reconfirm eligibility every three months via HMRC’s online.
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Tax-Free Childcare: Working parents with children aged 11 or under can receive up to £2000 per child, per year, towards their childcare costs.
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Universal Credit Childcare: Parents can get up to 85% of childcare costs paid back through this scheme.
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Early Learning for 2-Year-Olds: Eligible children can receive funded early years education from the funding period after their second birthday.
For more detailed information and to apply for these funding options, parents can visit the Hampshire County Council website or contact the Services for Young Children or visit Best Start in Life (a government website where you can complete an eligibility checker and access information and advice).
Of course! The team at Happy Mindz would be very happy to support any parents who are keen to place their children with us. We are often asked to help families to understand and apply for funding and consider how to make funded childcare work best for them. Feel free to give us a call, drop us an email, or book a visit, if you'd like some help.
Please contact us via email: hello@happymindz.co.uk
Call: 01329 830 236
FAQs: Funded childcare/ help with childcare costs
(because we know it's complicated)
No. All food and snacks are included within the session price for families paying standard fees for sessions.
For funded childcare recipients, we offer to provide all food and snacks for a fee of £10 per session, including a hot meal. Alternatively, parents can provide their own packed meals and snacks (we cannot cook/heat food from home).
Where families wish to take their children out of the setting for holidays, Happy Mindz must be notified at least one month in advance. Fees for holidays are charged at 50% of the normal rate where sufficient notice is given. If insufficient notice is given, fees will be charged at the normal rate.
Yes.
Nappies, pull-ups, wipes, nappy creams, sun cream etc. are not provided by Happy Mindz. These must be provided from home.
Parents of children attending Happy Mindz will have access to our Family App for invoicing, communications, and to access their child’s development records.
Yes, we aim to ensure we're as flexible as possible for busy families, so we can agree different times for you to drop off or collect your child, to suit you. Our earliest drop-off time is 07:30am and our latest pick-up is 18:30pm, but within these times, we can offer flexibility.
Standard fees and FAQs
Paying privately is an option for you if you are not entitled to free childcare via any of the schemes available, or if you wish to access additional childcare beyond your free provision. We are flexible to accommodate your needs, and can offer flexible start/finish times for your child if required.