Fees and Funding

Wren offers Nursery Educational Funded places to children who are eligible from the term after they turn 9 months old as set out by WCC.  Parents/Carers need to apply for funding online, to check if you are eligible go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk (For help on how to apply: https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/apply-for-free-childcare-if-youre-working)

All children are entitled to Universal funded 15 hours per week from the term after their 3rd birthday and some 3-4yr old children will also be entitled to further Extended hours increasing their entitlement to 30hrs per week.

Wren offers funding on both Stretched and term time only places.  The stretched offer enables parents to spread the total entitlement across more weeks, to avoid long holiday periods with no funding or childcare; and gives parents and their child up to a maximum of 24 educational hours a week for the eligible terms within an academic year. The Term Time offer allows up to 30hrs of funding per week and there is no attendance during the Warwickshire School Holiday weeks.

Funding is free at point of delivery and zero charged. Wren offers the Free Nursery Education funded sessions in the morning; 09:00-12:00, as a 6hr day from 09:00—15:00 and has limited spaces in the afternoon for the session 13:00– 16:00.

Additional Private hours and services (e.g. hours before and after the above sessions which may also fall across a meal time) will be charged at an hourly rate depending on age; under 3yrs £9.75 per hour, 3-4yr olds £8.75 per hour.

Parents can choose whether they access the additional hours outside of the funding or just the free Zero charged hours; should parents access a 6hr funded day, they have the option to bring in their own packed lunch if they do not want to pay for the hot lunch offered at Wren.  If parents choose to access the additional hours and meals, all options are itemised on their invoices for the services taken. Breakfast is charged at £2, Hot two course lunch is £5 and Tea is also £2.00 per day.

Wren is required within the statutory guidance to provide clear and transparent information regarding the early education funded offer and other non-funded paid hours/sessions; for a full break down of charges and fees from April 2026 as well as an example sheet, please see: April 2026 fee sheet

“The 15 or 30 hours must be able to be accessed free of charge to parents. There must not be any mandatory charges for parents in relation to the free hours. Government funding is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables, additional hours or additional services.” Early Education and Childcare: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities 2024:A1.32, A1.33.

The statutory guidance states that Nursery’s can charge for meals, snacks, consumables such as sun cream, piriton, baby wipes etc and for services such as trips and specialist tuition like music lessons or Spanish as well as special celebrations, parent afternoons and Christmas parties.

Given that parents now have the choice to change how they access their hours, should they wish too, Wren are monitoring this pricing structure based on the number of parents who choose to access additional services. Parents who are only accessing a NIL cost free funded place will be asked if they would like to pay a voluntary consumable charge.

Families in England receiving some forms of financial support may also be eligible for 2-year funding for up to 15 hours. To check eligibility, go to: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/children-families/help-childcare-costs/2