Fees

Kings Castle Montessori and Kings Castle Lodge Fees 2025

Important notes

The fees below apply from 1st January 2025. Please note that fees are reviewed termly and in addition, we reserve the right to amend fees at any time by giving a minimum of 1 month’s notice in writing.

Session times / minimum bookings

We are open from 08.00 to 18.00 Monday to Thursday and 08.00 to 17.00 on Friday.
Our morning session is from 08.00 to 12.00.
The lunch hour is from 12.00 to 13.00.
The afternoon session is from 13.00 to 17.00.
Tea-time is from 17.00 – 18.00 (available Monday to Thursday)
The minimum session time is 4 hours and the minimum booking is 2 sessions per week although we recommend that children attend at least 3-4 sessions per week.
Please note that due to demand, we do not offer mornings only or term-time only.
Funded places are available on a “stretched” year-round basis only (not term-time only).
Please note that all sessions are subject to availability and there may be a waiting list for popular sessions.

Prices 2025

Half-day morning or afternoon session	£33.20 (08.00 to 12.00 or 13.00 to 17.00) (£8.30 per hour)
All-day rate for FUNDED children applies to hours not covered by Early Years funding	£74.70 (08.00 to 17.00) (£8.30 per hour) £83.00 (08.00 to 18.00) (£8.30 per hour)
Special ALL-DAY rate for NON-FUNDED children only available for children who do not receive any funding	£69.75 (08.00 to 17.00) (£7.75 per hour) £77.50 (08.00 to 18.00) (£7.75 per hour)
Special FULL TIME RATE for NON-FUNDED children This applies to children who attend a minimum of 4 full days per week and who do not receive any funding.	£64.80 (08.00 to 17.00) (£7.20 per hour) £72.00 (08.00 to 18.00) (£7.20 per hour)
Lunch hour This can be added onto the morning or afternoon session	£8.30 (12.00 to 13.00)
Tea-time (not available Fridays)	half-hour £4.95 (17.00 to 17.30) 1 Hour £8.30 (17.00 to 18.00)
Additional Hours	£8.30 per hour
Consumables Charge	£1.65 per funded hour. Please see below for further details.
Hot Lunch (optional)	£4.75 per day (main dish and dessert)
Other charges & services / discounts
Deposit (refundable)	A deposit of £100 applies to children who are fully-funded and do not pay for any sessions. The deposit will be allocated to your Famly account as a credit which can be used once your child has attended nursery for a minimum of 3 months and provided that no fees are outstanding. If you pay a Deposit, you will not be charged an additional Administration fee. The deposit is reduced to £50 for second and third siblings provided that all children are attending nursery.
Administration fee (non-refundable)	£100 non-refundable administration fee applies to children who pay for some or all of their sessions. This is reduced to £50 for second and third siblings provided that both / all children attend. The administration fee reserves your child’s space for the agreed sessions and covers the settling-in sessions, learning journal, invoicing set up, etc If you pay an Administration fee, you will not be charged an additional deposit.
Early drop-off or late collection charge (i.e. if not pre-booked)	£7.50 per half-hour – this applies if a parent drops their child early or collects their child late without pre-booking.
Collection after closing	Collection after the nursery has closed for the day: a surcharge of £20 per hour or part hour will apply. Minimum charge £20.
Full-day discount	Children who do not receive any funding are eligible for a discounted hourly rate on any full-days (i.e 08.00 to 17.00 / 18.00).
Full-time discount	Children who attend for a minimum of 4 full days per week and who do not receive any funding are eligible for a discounted full-time rate.
Sibling discount	A sibling discount of 10% will apply to the 2nd child’s fees. A discount of 15% will apply to a 3rd child’s fees. Please note the discount only applies to “non-funded” paid hours and only applies while both / all siblings attend nursery. The discount does not apply to hot lunches, consumables or any other charges. Please contact us for full details.
Discounts	Please note that all discounts are offered at the discretion of the nursery and may be withdrawn at any time subject to giving parents one month’s notice. Please contact us for full details on discounts.
Nappies	Parents should provide nappies. If these are not supplied, we may charge £3 per session. Wipes, tissues, face cloths, etc are included within your fees or within the consumables charge.

Important notes on Early Years Funding and Consumables

Funding – We offer funded places on a “stretched” basis only which means that you receive up to 11 or up to 22 funded hours per week (depending on the age of your child and the type of funding you receive). Please note that stretched funding is only for 51 weeks per year and excludes the Christmas week when we are closed. No charges will occur during this week.
Applying for funding: It is the responsibility of parents to apply for extended or working family funding in the term before the funding begins. It is also the responsibility of parents to reconfirm their eligibility every 3 months.
Funding start dates: please note that Early Years funding does not apply immediately after the child’s birthday. For under 2’s, the funding will start the term after the child is 9 months old. For older children, funding starts the term after the child’s 2nd or 3rd birthday.
Funding for school leavers – please note that BCP reduces the funding most children receive in their final term before starting school. We will provide full details of the reduction in the preceding term.
Consumables charge – A non-mandatory consumables charge of £1.65 applies to each funded hour. The consumables charge allows us to provide your child with an environment, equipment, experiences and services which are above the normal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) or which are not covered by Early Years Funding for example snacks, cookery, gardening, music & movement, yoga, weekly sessions at Kings Lodge Nature Nursery (for over 2’s), sun cream, various sundries, downloadable learning / photo journal, outings and special cultural events. Please note that the consumables charge does not apply to paid hours. The consumables charge does not apply to families who currently receive certain means-tested benefits for example a means-tested 2-year-old funding code. Please ask us for details if you think you are eligible. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this charge and would like your child to opt out of these activities and services, please contact us to discuss the implications of option out. Please note that there is a 4-week notice period required if you wish to opt out of consumables.
Additional hours: parents are welcome to book additional sessions. These are charged at our standard rates. We sometimes offer additional hours at discounted rates – any offers will be sent out via Family.

Important notes on lunches, snacks and baby milk

Optional hot lunches –The hot lunch option consists of a freshly cooked 2-course nutritionally-balanced lunch supplied by Honest Meals. The cost is £4.75 per lunch, per day. We can cater to all main allergies and offer a vegetarian alternative as well. However, if your child has complex dietary needs, please contact the office as a supplement may apply. The hot lunch option should be booked at least 4 weeks in advance. The minimum booking is 4 weeks and there is a 4-week notice period if you wish to cancel hot lunches. Hot lunch is available for all children, including babies.
Packed lunches – Children can bring a packed lunch from home if preferred but this must be NUT FREE and healthy (no chocolates, biscuits, crisps, sweets or fizzy drinks). Packed lunches must comply with our packed lunch policy and follow the guidance given in the EYFS or by other government departments.
Healthy snacks are provided throughout the day and are included in the fees / consumables charge. Snacks are provided according to a 2-weekly menu and comply with government guidance on nutrition for this age group. Snacks are provided for children of all ages including babies.
Water and cow’s milk are provided for all children free of charge. Many children also bring in their own water in a drinks bottle. This must be clearly named
Milk for babies – if your child still requires formula or expressed milk, please provide this in a clearly named container with clear instructions for heating-up etc.
Baby food – we provide snacks for babies (included in your fees / consumables charge). Hot lunch is available for all our children including babies and we offer parents the choice of paid hot lunch or providing their own packed lunch. Any food you provide for your baby must comply with the nursery packed lunch policy and latest nutritional guidance and must be in a clearly named container with clear instructions for heating-up, etc.

Important notes on sundries and “what to bring” to nursery

Sundries – If nappies are not supplied by parents, we will charge £3 per session to supply these. Wet wipes, nappy creams, face cloths, tissues, bedding for sleeps and emergency medication are included in your fees or in the consumables charge.
Sun-cream – From April to September inclusive, parents MUST apply sun cream before their child comes into the setting (even on cloudy days). Staff will re-apply a sensitive skin, high factor sun cream to all children as required through the day. This is included in your fees / consumables charge. If your child is allergic to sun-cream, please contact us to discuss.
Extra clothes, etc. – The children go outside all year round and also do various messy activities. Children also sometimes have toileting accidents. Please therefore provide 1 change of clothes for Kings Castle and 2 changes of clothes for Kings Lodge. Your child will also need wellies all year round and “weather appropriate” clothes including a sun hat from April to September and a warm jacket, waterproofs, hat and gloves from October to March
Comforters – Children should bring their own comforters if required for sleeping.
Bedding and sleep bags – the nursery provides sheets and bedding for all children who sleep regularly at nursery. This is included in your fees or consumables charge. If you prefer to provide your own blanket or sleep bag, this must comply with the latest safety guidance so please speak to us beforehand.
We will give you a full kit list on a regular basis.
All clothes, lunch boxes, etc must be clearly named.

Payment options

Please kindly note that fees are payable in advance and by the 1st of the month.
Famly Pay: Please log-in to Famly to access the payment page. Please ask Beckie, Mandy or Nigel if you need assistance.
We accept payment via all the main Workplace Voucher Schemes including Busy Bees, Care4, Edenred, Co-op, etc.
Kings Castle is a registered provider for the government Tax-free Childcare Scheme. Please ask for details.
Payment by online banking / BACS transfer: Bank account details will be sent to you once you have returned the registration form. Please ensure that your child’s name and the month is given as a reference.

Terms and Conditions

When you book sessions at Kings Castle / Kings Lodge, this is a contractual agreement between you and the nursery and fees are therefore payable in accordance with our terms and conditions from this point onwards. You will therefore need to give 8 weeks’ notice in writing if you wish to reduce your child’s hours, withdraw your child from the nursery, or cancel your booking. The 8-week notice period begins from the date you register your child. If insufficient notice is given, normal fees / charges will be payable for the notice period. A 4-week written notice period applies if you wish to cancel hot lunches or opt out of the consumables charge.
Fees for hours booked are fixed and are payable whether your child attends or not. Please note if your child is booked to attend on Mondays, you cannot switch your funded hours to another day when Monday falls on a bank holiday (the same applies to Good Friday).
Invoices will be sent out by email at least one week in advance of the month for which the invoice is due. Please kindly note that all fees / charges are payable by the first of the month. Please ensure that we have an up-to-date email address for you.
Responsibility and liability for the payment of fees is on a “jointly and severally” basis – this means that both parents / carers are jointly and individually responsible for the payment of fees regardless of which parent normally pays and regardless of the parents’ domestic arrangements, etc.
Extra sessions are subject to availability. Please contact us to check availability. Extra sessions are usually available in the school holidays.
Hot lunches can be booked for a minimum of 4 weeks and should be requested at least 4 weeks in advance. Please note that some dietary preferences / requirements may incur a supplement. Hot lunches are billed to monthly and a notice period of 4 weeks is required should you wish to cancel hot lunches for the following month. Notice must be given in writing.
Any adjustments to your invoice such as extra hours will be added to the following month’s invoice.
If a payment reminder letter is sent to you, you will incur a £10.00 charge plus an administration charge of £10 for each week for which the fees are late. We may not accept a child at the nursery in the case of late payment.
We regret that days off due to illness and holiday must be paid for as a place has been reserved for your child.
The nursery is closed for approximately 5-10 days for Christmas / New Year and you will not be charged for this period. The exact dates vary from year to year depending on which days Christmas falls. Fees will be charged as normal for any other sessions missed due to holiday or illness, etc. Please notify the nursery of your holiday plans at least 4 weeks in advance.
The nursery is closed on bank holidays / public holidays. You will not be charged for any “paid hours” missed due to bank / public holidays unless this is an “extra” bank holiday or exceptional “one-off” holiday for national events etc. In this case, the nursery reserves the right to charge fees as normal. You will not be charged the consumables charge on bank holidays unless this is an “extra” bank holiday or exceptional “one-off” holiday for national events etc. Please note that if your child is booked to attend on Mondays, you cannot switch your funded hours to another day when Monday falls on a bank holiday (the same applies to Good Friday).
We make every effort to stay open and offer a full service to all our children and parents. If however, the directors and management decide that the nursery has to close for reasons beyond our control such as snow, ice, flood, power-cut, industrial action, major health & safety issues, pandemics or similar, etc, fees / charges will be payable for your contracted hours and no refunds will be due. In such cases, we will make every effort to minimise the closure period and to notify you in advance. Any change to this policy, is solely at the discretion of the nursery.
If your child is required to miss nursery on the advice of a doctor, medical professional, NHS Track, PHE or similar authority either due to illness or the requirement to self-isolate or the requirement of the nursery to close part or all of the nursery, fees will be charged as normal and no refunds will be due. Any change to this policy is solely at the discretion of the nursery.
Once you have registered with the nursery and booked a place, eight weeks’ notice in writing is required should you wish to withdraw your child from the Nursery or if you wish to reduce the number of sessions, etc. If insufficient notice is given, you will be charged for your normal sessions and services during the notice period. A 4-week written notice period applies if you wish to cancel hot lunches or opt out of the consumables charge.
Fees, etc will be reviewed in January, April and September each year. In addition, we reserve the right to review fees at any time by giving 1 month’s notice in writing.
We send invoices and important information by email and via the Famly app. Please ensure that we have up-to-date email address for you and that you notify us of any changes to your address or phone number. Thanks.

Kings Castle Montessori Nursery