There is no doubt in any parent's mind that children are an expensive part of their lives. From nappies to clothes, furniture to accessories and education until they are 18 or more.

At Penmoor (as parents) we recognise this and endeavour to provide the best possible service at the best price for parents.

Many children access the 2 year old, 3 and 4 year old and 30 hour extended funding (more details below). Hours over and above this are charged at £4.20 p/h for three and four year olds and £4.50 p/h for two year olds. This rate includes all services offered at Penmoor including Forest School, use of the Minibus, Breakfast Club and all trips. We do not charge top up fees or additional costs for individual items  other than £20 initial enrolment fee which covers the cost of a Penmoor bookbag, t-shirt, Home/School diary, Memory folder and initial paperwork.

Breakfast club (7.30am - 9am) may be booked in 1/2 hourly increments and will be billed as such.

The morning period (9am - 12.00) is a set three hour session. Lunch club (12.00-1pm) can be added either on a regular or occasional basis. Children going on into the afternoon may choose their finish time of 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm or 4pm and funding / charges will be applied to that time.

Our decision to offer flexible times to parents is as a result of one of our parent questionnaires seven years ago. We implemented it initially as a pilot study and have found it to be so successful we have never looked back. 

Costs per hour from September 2020 are -

2 year olds - £4.50 p/h

3 / 4 year olds - £4.20 p/h

Many families are entitled to 2 Year old funding, which gives you 15 hours of Government funded nursery education each week for 38 weeks per year (570 across the year). Eligible children are able to use the funding from the start of the term AFTER the child's second birthday.

Your child may be eligible for the funding if you receive any of the following benefits -

• Universal tax credits
• Income support
• Income based job seekers allowance
• Income related employment and support allowance
• Universal credit - If you and your partner have a combined income from work of less than £15,400 a year after tax (please always check these figures as allowances change)
• Child tax credit with an annual household taxable income (as assessed by HMRC) not over £16,190
• Working tax credits with an annual household taxable income not over £16,190
• The working tax credit 4 week run on
• Guaranteed element of state pension credit
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum act 1999

Or if your two year old:

• attracts Disability Living Allowance
• is looked after by the Local Authority
• has left care through special guardianship or through an adoption order or residence order
• has a current statement of special educational needs (SEN) or an Education, Health and Care plan

Some families will be sent a Golden ticket or letter offering the 15 hours funding. This needs to be taken to the nursery school of your choice so that they may complete the paperwork on your behalf.

If you have not yet been sent either a Golden ticket or letter, but think you might be eligible you can check and apply at www.devon.gov.uk/twoyearoldfunding or call 03451551013.

All 3 and 4 year olds in England are entitled to 570 hours per year (up to 15 hours per week) free childcare starting the term AFTER their third birthday.

It may be possible your child is eligible for the new 30 hour funding. If so any hours your child attends between 16 - 30 will be funded. These hours need to be booked in the same way as the 15 hours. At Penmoor we place no restrictions on how the hours are used as long as they fall within our session times.

To be eligible parents must be working and each earning at least the National Minimum or National Living wage for 16 hours a week (£139.36 if you are over 25). You won't be able to claim if either you or your partner earn over £100,000.

You might also be able to get Tax-free childcare. If so you can apply for both at the same time.

For the full eligibility criteria or to see if you are eligible look on the GOV.UK website.

Applications need to be complete prior to the start of term so it is advisable to begin the process at least a month before the start of term  AFTER your child turns three.