Information applies from September 2026

Funded Early Years Education Entitlement (FEEE)/Working Families Entitlement

At Gooseberry Green we offer the following funding options:

• Early Learning for 2-year-olds Entitlement (FEEE2 15 hours)

To find out if you are eligible please visit https://www.essex.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families/early-years-and-childcare/help-childcare-costs/15-hours-funded

• Universal Entitlement for all 3- & 4-year-olds (FEEE3&4 15 hours)

All children are eligible the term after their 3^rd birthday

• Eligible Working Parent Entitlement for 3- & 4-year-olds (FEEE3&4 EFE 15 hours)

To find out if you are eligible and to apply please visit www.beststartinlife.gov.uk

• Eligible Working Parent Entitlement for 9 months – 2 years old (FEEE1W & FEEE2W30 hours)

To find out if you are eligible and to apply please visit www.beststartinlife.gov.uk

Funded hours can be accessed in the following blocks:

Morning session:     8.20 am - 11.20 am (3 funded hours)

Afternoon session:  12.20 pm - 3.20 pm (3 funded hours)

All day - 8.20 am:    2.20 pm (6 funded hours)

Please be aware that if any extra sessions are taken after the official headcount date each term, full fees will have to be paid until the following term when you can claim them. These sessions will be in line with the unfunded session times. 

Summer Term 2026:  Headcount day is 23rd April 2026

Autumn Term 2026:  Headcount day is 10th September 2026

Spring Term 2027:     Headcount day is 21st January 2027

Please note: terms which exceed the allocated funding weeks will require full payment. 

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

EYPP is additional funding for early years settings to improve the provision for eligible children. This means that for low-income families, Providers are entitled to receive additional funding for all children accessing up to 15 hours funded entitlement for, FEEE2W, FEEE2 and FEEE3&4 universal.

Disability Access Fund (DAF)

The DAF is payable as a lump sum once a year per eligible child for all the entitlements. To be eligible a child must be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. DAF can only be claimed by one provider per year.

Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (SENIF)

Providers can apply for SENIF for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities if they need additional support to include children in activities. SENIF if agreed is paid for FEEE hours attended.

Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI)

The deprivation supplement is paid per hour for FEEE3&4 universal and extended hours only and is paid directly to the provider. This funding is added automatically for children who live in an eligible postcode where providers are claiming FEEE3&4.

Tax Free Childcare

Parents will need to check to see if they are eligible for Tax Free Childcare. To check for eligibility and to apply, go to Tax-Free Childcare - GOV.UK

Our funded hours can only be taken in the blocks below. These blocks allow for either a 15 hour or 30 hour entitlement to be accessed over a week. Any additional hours e.g. an additional lunch club or sessions/days over your entitled hours, will be charged at our full rate and in line with our unfunded session times. 

Once a place has been confirmed our families will receive an invoice for £75 for our starter pack. This includes set up administration costs, a diary and a book bag. When your child starts with us £25 will be credited onto your first 4 weekly invoice. This fee is non-refundable if your child does not take their place.

For our families that are only accessing funded hours the starter park will not apply. We strongly advise that you purchase a book bag and diary to be used each session.

Unfortunately the Government funding only covers the basic provision for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) with the minimum legal staff ratio to children. Gooseberry Green pride ourselves in providing a high quality setting, service and staff. To continue with this we unfortunately need to ask our families that access funding hours for a discretionary charge. You can opt in or out of this charge. More details can be found within our Fees and Funding Policy.

As of September 2025 our fees are payable 4 weekly in advance. Our preferred method of payment is by bank transfer. We also accept cheques, cash and Tax-Free Childcare.

Fees must still be paid if children are absent. If your child should be absent over a long period of time, please speak to our manager. 

Please note: late payments will incur a fee of £20.00

For your child to keep her/his place at Gooseberry Green, you must pay the fees. We are in receipt of nursery education funding for two, three and four year old children; where funding is not received, then fees apply.

Fees are reviewed annually.