We are able to offer government-funded childcare places for eligible children, including funded hours available through the Early Years funding schemes.

Depending on your child’s age and your family’s eligibility, you may be entitled to funded childcare hours each week. Funded hours can be used during our available childcare sessions and, where agreed, may also be offered on a stretched basis across more weeks of the year.

Parents are responsible for making sure their funding eligibility and codes remain valid, and we are always happy to help guide families through the process.

Consumables & Additional Charges Policy

At Emi’s Childcare St Agnes, we aim to provide children with a welcoming, enjoyable and well-supported childcare experience.

Government-funded childcare covers the cost of the funded childcare hours themselves. It does not cover certain additional items such as meals, snacks and consumable items used by individual children.

Our Consumables Charge

We offer parents the option of paying a £7.50 daily consumables charge for children attending our setting.

This contribution helps cover additional items provided for and used by the child during their day, which may include:

● healthy snacks

● Drinks

● Nappies and wipes, where required

● Sun cream

● Personal hygiene consumables

● Baking and cooking ingredients used by the child

● Consumable arts and craft materials used for additional activities

● Consumable materials associated with optional special activities and experiences

The charge is separate from any government-funded childcare entitlement.

Children Accessing Funded Childcare

Children receiving government-funded childcare are entitled to access their funded hours completely free of charge.

The £7.50 consumables charge is therefore voluntary for children attending during funded hours and is not a condition of receiving a funded childcare place.

Parents who do not wish to pay the consumables charge will not lose access to their child’s funded hours.

Opting Out

Parents may choose not to pay the consumables charge.

Where a parent opts out, Emi’s Childcare will discuss reasonable alternative arrangements with them.

Depending on the items required by the child, this may include parents providing suitable items themselves, such as:

● snacks

● Drinks where appropriate

● Nappies

● Wet wipes

● Sun cream

● Other agreed personal consumable items

Children whose parents choose not to pay the consumables charge will continue to receive the same quality of childcare and Early Years Foundation Stage provision as other children.

Additional Activities

From time to time we may offer additional activities, outings, celebrations or experiences that are outside the normal delivery of the EYFS.

Where an additional charge applies, parents will be informed beforehand and participation will be optional.

A child will not be disadvantaged in their normal childcare provision if their parent chooses not to take part in an optional paid activity.

Privately Paid Childcare Hours

Any childcare used outside a child’s government-funded entitlement may be charged at Emi’s Childcare’s normal private childcare rates in accordance with our Fees Policy and childcare contract.

Purchasing additional private hours is not a condition of accessing government-funded childcare.

Invoicing

Where applicable, invoices will clearly separate:

● Government-funded childcare hours

● Additional privately paid childcare hours

● Food and meal charges

● Non-food consumable charges

● Optional activity charges

This ensures that parents can clearly see that their child’s funded entitlement has been provided free of charge.

Financial Hardship

We recognise that families’ circumstances can differ.

Parents experiencing financial difficulty are encouraged to speak to us confidentially so that reasonable alternative arrangements can be discussed.

Our Commitment

Emi’s Childcare St Agnes is committed to ensuring that government-funded childcare remains accessible and free at the point of delivery.

No child will be refused a funded place solely because their parent chooses not to purchase optional consumables or additional services.

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains consistent with Department for Education guidance and Cornwall Council requirements.

Emi’s Childcare St Agnes

Where the wild ones play

Private childcare fees apply to any hours that are not covered by government funding.

Fees will depend on the childcare session required, the child's contracted hours and any additional hours booked.

Any care provided outside our standard hours may be charged at an enhanced rate. Full details of our current fees are discussed with families before a childcare place is confirmed.

Holding Fees

To secure a future childcare place, a £100 holding fee may be required.

For non-funded childcare places, this holding fee is non-refundable and secures the agreed future space.

For funded childcare places, a £100 holding fee may also be required to reserve the place. This is refunded once the child starts their funded childcare place, subject to the terms of the childcare agreement.