top of page

Funding at Golden Apples Nurseries

Warm, inclusive, and fully aligned with the new September 2026 funding structure.

​

Government-Funded Childcare

At Golden Apples, we are pleased to offer Government-funded childcare places for eligible families. Funding may be available for 15 or 30 hours per week during term time, depending on your child’s age and your family’s eligibility.

​

Funding arrangements vary slightly depending on your nursery’s local authority. We provide the relevant official documents for Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk so families can review the exact entitlement for their area.

​

How Our Funding Works

Golden Apples delivers funded childcare through fixed funded sessions, available on both a Term Time and Stretched (all-year-round) basis.

​

Term Time vs Stretched Funding

  • Term Time funding is delivered across 38 weeks.

  • Stretched funding spreads your annual entitlement across 50 weeks (Cambridgeshire) or 51 weeks (Suffolk and Norfolk) depending on your local authority.

​

Golden Apples nurseries are open for 51 weeks per year. Where stretched funding is applied over 50 weeks (Cambridgeshire), this means one week each year is unfunded.

 

This unfunded week is allocated at the start of the Autumn term, and families will receive advance notice should they wish to book this week as privately paid childcare.

​

Changing between Term Time and Stretched funding is only possible at the start of the academic year (September), as your entitlement is calculated across the full year.

​

Funded Sessions

All funded sessions must begin at 8am, 9am, or 1pm.

We offer the following funded session lengths:

  • 10 hours

  • 7.5 hours

  • 6 hours

  • 5 hours

  • 4.5 hours

  • 3 hours

​

Sessions cannot be combined. If you choose to collect your child earlier, this is permitted, but the full session will still be claimed as funded.

​

Any additional hours beyond your funded session will be charged at your nursery’s standard hourly rate.

​

Weekly Entitlement (Cambridgeshire)

Stretched Funding

  • 15 hours → 11.4 hours per week (Golden Apples delivers 11.5 hours)

  • 30 hours → 22.8 hours per week (Golden Apples delivers 22.5 hours; claim amended accordingly)

​

Term Time Funding

  • 15 hours → 15 hours per week

  • 30 hours → 30 hours per week

​

Weekly Entitlement (Suffolk And Norfolk)

Stretched Funding

  • 15 hours → 11.18 hours per week (Golden Apples delivers 11 hours and the claim is amended accordingly)

  • 30 hours → 22.35 hours per week (Golden Apples delivers 22.5 hours)​

​

Term Time Funding

  • 15 hours → 15 hours per week

  • 30 hours → 30 hours per week

​

What Government Funding Covers

Government funding provides access to free, high-quality childcare. It does not cover:

  • Meals and snacks

  • Nappies, wipes, creams, sun cream or any additional items needed through out the day.

  • Additional hours beyond your funded entitlement

  • Optional extra-curricular enrichment activities

​

Optional Chargeable Extras

Extra curricular activities 

These optional experiences enrich your child’s learning journey and go beyond the statutory EYFS curriculum. Activities may include:

  • Themed Days 

  • Annual Celebrations 

  • Gifts to take home 

  • Extended Leaning e.g. Trips 

  • Stay and Plays 

  • Visiting the local community 

  • Sports Days 

  • Enhanced Sensory Learning 

  • Gardening Club

  • Special Visitors 

  • Cooking Classes 

  • Nursery Graduation 

  • Nature Walks 

  • Visits from the Local Community ​

​

Cost per funded session:

  • 10 hours – £6.00

  • 7.5 hours – £4.50

  • 6 hours – £3.60

  • 5 hours – £3.00

  • 4.5 hours – £2.70

  • 3 hours – £1.80

​

Families may opt in or opt out. Choices are fixed for the term.

If you opt out, your child will still receive the full EYFS curriculum.

​

Food Provision

Golden Apples provides freshly prepared meals and snacks throughout the day, supporting healthy eating habits and social development.

​

Food provision includes:

  • Breakfast

  • Mid-morning snack

  • Two-course lunch

  • Afternoon snack on demand

  • Light two-course tea

​

Cost per funded session:

  • 10 hours – £9.00

  • 7.5 hours – £6.75

  • 6 hours – £5.40

  • 5 hours – £4.50

  • 4.5 hours – £4.05

  • 3 hours – £2.70

Families may opt into food provision or provide food from home in line with our Food From Home Policy.

​

Non-Food Consumables

These items must be provided daily in your child’s bag:

  • Nappies

  • Wipes

  • Nappy bags

  • Cream

  • Sun cream

​

If a child arrives without required items, a £20 ADHOC fee will be charged to cover staff time purchasing replacements.

​

Additional Information

  • A deposit (please refer to the nursery price list) is required upon enrolment to secure a place at the
    nursery, which is refunded once your child has started with us.
    If you choose to take any additional paid hours on top of your funded entitlement, a non‑refundable
    administration fee will apply (please refer to the nursery price list). This fee covers all administration
    costs and supports the delivery costs of two to three settling visits and a meeting with the manager
    to discuss your child’s needs, interests and routines. This fee applies only to families purchasing
    privately paid hours.

  • Any additional hours, meals, snacks, or optional extra curricular  activities are chargeable in line with your nursery’s price list.

  • If the sessions listed do not fully meet your family’s needs, your Nursery Manager will be happy to
    discuss this with you and explore options that may be tailored to offer appropriate support.

bottom of page