Southlands Nurseries

Funded Childcare and Fees

At Southlands Nurseries, we know that navigating funding can be confusing — so here’s a simple guide to help you understand what you’re entitled to and how we make it work for your family.

What funding is available?

From September 2025, working parents and carers of children aged 9 months and over may be eligible for up to 30 hours of funded childcare.

All 3-year-olds automatically receive 15 hours of free childcare from the term after their third birthday.
Working parents may be eligible for 30 hours of funding.
2-year-olds may qualify for Think2 funding, based on separate criteria for non-working parents or those on certain benefits.
You can also use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit alongside your funded hours.

Find out if you’re eligible and apply directly through the Government website:

https://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/

Estimate your childcare costs

Our Funding and Fees Calculator gives you a helpful indication of how funded childcare hours could reduce your nursery fees at Southlands. It’s designed to offer a simple starting point, so you can explore different options before speaking with our team.

We recommend checking your funding eligibility through the Government website before using the calculator.

Step 1 – Child details, funding & meals

Age band, funding & extras

Child’s age band

Select the band that best matches your child’s age at the time they will attend.

Funding entitlement

If you’re unsure about your funded hours, the nursery team can confirm your eligibility.

Include meals & consumables in this estimate

Meal and consumables charges are currently using placeholder values and will be updated to match Southlands’ fee sheet.

Step 2 – Weekly attendance pattern

Days & sessions

For each weekday, choose whether your child attends for a full day, morning, afternoon, or does not attend.

Day	Session	Notes

Step 3 – Estimated fees

Illustration only

Weekly fee

£0.00

Based on your selected sessions & funding.

Monthly fee (average)

£0.00

Equalised across the year.

Breakdown

Childcare before funding £0.00
Less funding contribution – £0.00
Plus meals & extras + £0.00
Estimated weekly total £0.00

This calculator is provided as a guide only. Your exact fees will be confirmed in writing by the nursery team once your booking pattern and funding have been agreed.

Contact the nursery team about this estimate

Please note: All figures shown are illustrative and based on standard funding rules. For a personalised breakdown — including stretched funding, session patterns, or eligibility for specific funding types — please get in touch with Southlands Nurseries.

When to apply

You’ll need to apply the term before you want your funding to start. For example, to begin in September, apply during the summer term.

We’ll remind you when applications open and help you complete your Parental Declaration. Please bring your child’s birth certificate to confirm their age.

You’ll also need to reconfirm your details with HMRC every 3 months to keep your code active.

How funding works at Southlands

We use your funded hours to reduce your childcare costs and keep charges consistent across the year.

15 hours funding is deducted directly from your invoice.
30 hours funding (for working parents) can be used across three full-day sessions per week.
We offer extended hours from 7.35 am to 5.45 pm, giving families flexibility around the school day.
Funding applies during term time (38 weeks), but we “stretch” funding across our 49-week year to even out your bills. So you are allocated around 22.3hours per week.

Consumables and enrichment (chosen charges)

Government funding doesn’t cover everything that makes Southlands special. Our chosen charge helps us offer the rich experiences that make our curriculum outstanding — like Spanish, Swimming, Forest School, Gardening, and regular day trips.

These charges are optional, but most parents choose to contribute so their child can enjoy the full Southlands experience.

If you prefer, we also offer term-time “care-only” places that meet EYFS standards without the additional enrichment activities.

Why choose Southlands?

We’re proud to offer:

A qualified and experienced team with over 135 years’ combined experience.
Smaller ratios (1 adult to 8 children aged 3+) compared to schools (1:13).
Care for 49 weeks a year — no need to find extra holiday cover.
Flexibility to suit your working pattern.
A nurturing environment with outdoor classrooms, nature play, swimming, and more.

While school nurseries offer term-time sessions (9 am–3 pm) only, Southlands provides full-day, year-round care in one place — consistent, loving, and reliable.

Fees and discounts

We review fees each September and provide clear invoices showing Government Funded Hours separately.

We do not charge for bank holidays or our three annual shutdown weeks.

Questions or help

We’re always happy to talk about your funding options or help with applications.