Windmill Pre-School is registered with Buckinghamshire Council to receive 15 hours of flexible free entitlement funding for children who are 2, 3 and 4 years old. This means that any child attending Pre-School from the term after their 3rd birthday will be eligible for government funding. This funding is available for your child until they commence full-time primary education. If your child is entitled to 2 year old funding they will be eligible to receive this the term after their 2nd birthday (see below for the criteria required for the two year old funding).
Additionally, Windmill Pre-School offers non-funded spaces to children who are 2 years old on a fee-paying basis. This depends on how many sessions are available after firstly admitting our funded children.
Eligibility for funding: The dates determining eligibility of a child for funded sessions are set out by the Government. They are:
| A child born on or between | Will become eligible for a free place from |
| 1st April and 31st August | 1st September following their 3rd birthday |
| 1st September and 31st December | 1st January following their 3rd birthday |
| 1st January and 31st March | 1st April following their 3rd birthday |
No child may claim more than 15/30 hours in any week, even if they are attending multiple child care settings. This also applies if the other setting is in another Authority. Please let us know if your child attends any other form of day care.
If your child is offered a funded place, you will be asked to complete a Parent Declaration Form and bring proof of your child’s date of birth into Pre-school.
30 hours funding is means tested, please check here to see if you may be eligible: Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK
Children who are eligible for 30 hours funding can attend the Pre-School full time Monday- Friday, or split the funding between us and other registered providers (Such as Nursery or Childminders etc.)
Fees for non-funded children
Additionally, Windmill Pre-School offers non-funded spaces to children from the term after they turn 2 on a fee-paying basis. This depends on how many sessions are available after firstly admitting our funded children.
For these children we charge a fee per session, which is reviewed on an annual basis. Our fees are calculated for each half term. An invoice will be provided to parents with all payment information including the date by which fees should be paid. Pre-School cannot run efficiently unless fees are paid promptly and debts may not be carried over from one term to the next.
If you are having difficulty in meeting the payments, please do not feel that you have to remove your child from Pre-School. Simply contact either the Administrator or Chairperson who will talk you through payment options. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
If there is no contact regarding the payment of fee monies, our arrears procedure will be used:
Arrears procedure
If payment is not received by the date stated on the invoice, a reminder will be sent.
If after a further 7 days we still have not received payment, the Committee will consider each case and may recommend that the number of sessions that the child attends be reduced to a more manageable amount, or that the child be removed until the arrears are cleared.
If we still do not receive any payment, the Pre-School may approach the Small Claims Court in order that our monies are recovered. We hold the right to cease a childcare agreement at any time if no payment has been made.
Removal from Pre-School
If you wish to remove your child from the Pre-School or change their hours of attendance, then you must give at least four weeks’ written notice (term time only) as we have to consider staffing which is set out at the beginning of each term. Please see our Admission policy for more information.
Current fees (as of January 2024)
Our current fees for non-funded children (2 year olds) or for those who go over their 15 hours early education funding (3 years or over) are:
Early start drop off at 8.30am (Pre-bookable only) £4.00 (Funded hours cannot be used against Early starts)
Morning session for non-funded child: £21.00
Lunch club session: £7.00
Afternoon session for non-funded child: £21.00
Full day 9-3pm £42.00