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:
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 & extrasSelect the band that best matches your child’s age at the time they will attend.
If you’re unsure about your funded hours, the nursery team can confirm your eligibility.
Meal and consumables charges are currently using placeholder values and will be updated to match Southlands’ fee sheet.
Step 2 – Weekly attendance pattern
Days & sessionsFor 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 onlyBreakdown
- 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 estimatePlease 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.
Standard fees and discounts
We review fees each September and provide clear invoices showing Government Funded Hours separately.
- Creche daily rate: £70
- Kindergarten daily rate: £65
- Consumables for Kindergarten are only applicable To 3 Years and over and are included in the £65 day rate: £8.30 Per Day Term Time Only.
- Sibling discount: 10% when both children attend
Parent charges 2026
1st April 2026 – March 2027
The information below shows the chargeable fees that may apply after funded childcare hours are taken into account.
They offer a helpful starting point for understanding what additional weekly charges could remain, depending on your child’s age and eligibility. For a personalised quote, our team will be happy to talk you through the options.
These charges are per week, based upon an average that covers the 49 weeks of the year that we are open with a 3 day minimum attendance for 30 hour funded children.
| 2 Days Attendance | 3 Days Attendance | 4 Days Attendance | 5 Days Attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unfunded children (aged 3 months to 9 months) | £147 | £220.50 | £294 | £367.50 |
| 2 years and under working parent funding | N/A | £49.50 | £123 | £196.50 |
| 3 years 30 hour working parent funding (including consumable charges*) | N/A | £69.04 | £138.04 | £207.04 |
| 3 years automatic entitlement funding only | N/A | £138.01 | £207.01 | £276.01 |
| Think 2 funding: 15 hours term time only | £0 | £69 | £138 | £207 |
| Term time only 30 hour working parent funding (3 years and over) | N/A | £29.10 (consumable charge @ £9.70 per day) |
£98.10 | £167.10 |
(consumable charge @ £9.70 per day)
Please note:
Consumable charges are applied only to the 38 weeks that the Government provides funding.
Consumable charges are not charged to children under 3 years as the Government funding covers our daily hourly rate and they are not mandatory.
Consumable charges are applicable the term after they are 3 years old.
Consumable charges are chosen charges to parents who wish their children to access Mini Bus Outings, Forest School, Swimming, Gardening, Spanish and day trips during the year including theatres, ice cream farms, farms and fruit or pumpkin picking.
Meals are included in all day rates. Children are not permitted to bring packed lunches as per our Southlands Food Policy.
Questions or help
Kindergarten
- Southlands Kindergarten, 15 Southlands Ave, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 8BZ, United Kingdom
- 01782 626148
Crèche
- St. Margarets C of E Junior School, Knutton Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 0HU, United Kingdom
- 01782 714465