Sessions, fees and funding

Options for attending Acorn Nursery

Our fees are competitive and we offer a free settling-in program to help your child to have the best start with us. 

There are now more ways than ever to reduce your childcare costs. You can benefit from a wide range of funding options depending on your circumstances and the age of your children. To find out more visit Childcare Choices.  

Funded places, session times and fees

We offer the Universal 15 hours Early Years Free Entitlement (EYFE) for all 3 and 4 year olds and EYFE for 2 year olds whose families receive additional forms of government support. Find out if you're eligible and apply online.  

We also offer the 30 hours Early Years Free Entitlement (EYFE) for eligible working families in England with a child from 9 months old up to school age. Check your eligibility. 

The government’s 15 and 30 hours EYFE is for 38 weeks of the year (school term times), as we are open all year round, we offer stretch the funded hours in 2 options: 

Funded sessions only

If you wish your child to attend funded sessions only, these are offered to a maximum of 12 or 24 funded hours per week for 47.5 weeks of the year, with pre-set non-attendance weeks which coincide with Christmas and school half terms.

All year round

If you wish your child to attend all year round, 51 weeks and one week closure over Christmas, funded hours are offered to a maximum of 11.17 or 22.35 hours per week (the funded hours are deducted of your booked sessions and any additional hours are invoiced monthly).

Session times and nursery fees  

47.5 week session times and charges (funded hours only sessions) 

Morning, 8:45am to 12:45pm

EYFE funded.

Afternoon, 1pm to 5pm

EYFE funded.

Full day, 9am to 5pm

EYFE funded.

Morning extended session , 8am to 8:45am

£4.80.

Afternoon extended session, 5pm to 6pm

£6.40.

Meals (lunch, tea)

£2.82.

51 week session times and charges (before funding is deducted) 

Morning, 8am to 1pm

£33, includes breakfast (lunch is charged separately).

Afternoon, 1pm to 6pm

£33, tea is charged separately.

Full day 8am to 6pm,

£66, includes breakfast (lunch and tea are charged separately).

Hourly rate

£6.60

Meals (lunch, tea)

£2.90

A £200 deposit is required to confirm the space allocated for new starters. This is deducted from the first invoice for nursery fees. This deposit can be waived for families that use funded only sessions, please contact us for further details.  

We ask parents to provide nappies, wipes, nappy cream and spare clothes, these are not included in the fees. 

Meals (provided by Little Tums Catering) 

For lunch and tea, parents have the option of supplying a healthy packed lunch/tea or purchasing a meal, these will be charged separately and cost of £2.82 per meal, we'll invoice you monthly. Speak to our Nursery Management Team for information on our packed lunch guidance.  

Paying nursery fees 

Nursery fees are payable one month in advance. Payment should be received by the due date shown on your invoice. You'll receive an invoice each month.  

Due to a different number of sessions in a month, the fees are likely to vary each month. You will not be charged for the Christmas closure. 

Payments are made through the Brighton & Hove City Council website or the Tax Free childcare website. 

If you wish to pay via internet banking speak to us to find out more details.  

We accept most childcare voucher schemes, speak to us to find out more details.  

Bank holidays and other non-attendance 

We do not charge for bank holidays. There's no reduction in charges for absence due to holiday, sickness or any other reason. 

Ending your place 

If you wish to end your place at Acorn, we require one month’s notice in writing to withdraw a child from their place. Fees are charged at the usual monthly rate during this notice period. If the child does not attend during this period, fees will not be refunded.