At Doves Nurseries, our aim is to give every child a calm, home from home experience where they can grow, learn and feel secure. Our fees reflect the high standards of care your child will receive in any one of our well‑equipped nursery settings.
We ensure our fees are presented in a clear and transparent format so that our families can access the right childcare package for their needs. You’ll find a breakdown of our fees and session times on each setting page.
Funding
From September 2025, the government expanded its funding scheme so that all eligible working families can now access 30 hours of funded childcare from the term after their child turns 9 months old.
To receive this funding, families will need to apply for an eligibility code (just as with the current scheme) and share this unique reference number with us so we can claim the funding on your behalf.
We will also require the following documentation to ensure the funding is accepted.
- A signed Parental contract (to be issued by us to you)
- Both parents National Insurance numbers
- Your child’s birth certificate
👀Don’t forget ~ every three months you will need to reconfirm your funding eligibility through the HMRC childcare account. If you forget or miss the deadline you might risk losing your funding for the following term. This would mean you will have to pay our standard fee for any time that would have previously been captured with the additional funding.
Consumables
At Doves, we’re committed to offering children a rich, nurturing environment with high quality learning experiences. With the Government’s new funded hours now rolling out, we want to be transparent about how this works at Doves. The funding covers the education element of childcare only. It does not include meals, snacks, consumables, outings, events, or many of the essentials that make our provision special.
To continue offering the standard of care and experiences our families value, we ask for a voluntary consumables contribution. This helps us cover items and activities not included in government funding, such as:
- Fresh, nutritious meals & snacks
- Community outings & enrichment activities
- High quality indoor & outdoor environments
- Digital Communication Tools such as Famly
- Seasonal events, celebrations & family activities
- Animal care and wellbeing experiences
This contribution supports the overall running of the nursery and is not linked to daily attendance. As outlined in our policies, fees remain payable during holidays as your child’s place is held for them.
FAQ’s
We’ve compiled some of the most common questions we get asked by parents on funding and eligibility
Who is eligible for the new 30 hours funding from 9 months?
From September 2025, eligible working families can access 30 hours of funded childcare from the term after their child turns 9 months old. This expands the previous scheme, which began at age 3.
When does the funding start for my child?
Funding begins from the start of the term after your child turns 9 months old. Terms begin in September, January and April.
Do I need to apply for anything?
Yes. Families must apply for an eligibility code through the government’s childcare portal. Once you receive your code, please share it with us so we can claim the funding on your behalf.
How often do I need to reconfirm my eligibility?
You’ll need to reconfirm your eligibility every three months. HMRC will send reminders, but it’s important to reconfirm on time to avoid any gaps in funding.
What happens if I miss the reconfirmation deadline?
Your funding may pause temporarily. There is usually a grace period, but it’s best to reconfirm as soon as you receive the reminder.
Does the funding cover meals, snacks or additional services?
Funding covers childcare hours only. Meals, snacks, trips and additional services may have separate charges, which we outline clearly in our Consumables statement.
Can I use fewer than 30 hours?
Yes. You can use any number of funded hours up to your entitlement. We’ll work with you to build a pattern that suits your family.
Can I split my funded hours between two different settings?
Yes — many families do. You can divide your hours between two providers as long as the total does not exceed your entitlement.
What if I’m not eligible for the 30 hours?
You may still be able to access 15 hours universal funding (for 3–4 year olds), 2‑year funding (depending on circumstances), Tax‑Free Childcare (or Childcare Vouchers if already enrolled). We’re always happy to talk through your options.