We close for a week at Christmas and a week in July/August. We also close for 3 Professional Training days for our Educators and on Bank Holidays (but unlike some nurseries, we won’t charge any fees during these closures).

Because things change, just give us 4 weeks’ notice in writing to change Sessions (subject to availability).

Fees:

As a not-for-profit organisation, Bows & Arrows work hard to balance outstanding care with affordability. All sessions in each age group have a simple hourly rate - whichever day or session you choose. Working out your childcare costs really shouldn’t be complicated! If your Funding doesn’t cover all the hours you need, we just invoice you Fees for the extra.

Current Fees: (Subject to yearly review)

Babies (under 2y): £7.30 per hour

Toddlers (2-3y): £7.05 per hour

Preschool (3y+): £7.05 per hour

Payment for Consumables:

Families in receipt of funded childcare will be sent a monthly invoice to contribute to consumable costs, this will be charged as follows -

£1 per half-day attendance, per child.

Government funding is intended to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of free, high quality, flexible childcare. It is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables, additional hours or additional services; therefore parents (or the usual bill payer) can expect to pay for these.

Bows and Arrows asks all funded families to pay a consumable charge to cover the costs of additional services, snacks, and consumable items. We are mindful of the impact of additional charges on parents, especially the most disadvantaged, so if you experience difficulties meeting the

cost of consumables and additional services, we ask you to have a confidential conversation with your Nursery Manager. Nursery Managers are

likely to have better knowledge of individual families & their circumstances and therefore are best placed to have these discussions. In these

circumstances we will do all we can to help. Alternatively, you can supply your own snacks and consumables for your child. This involves supplying the items on the list below. Please note this list is not exhaustive and other items may be requested.

• A snack for every session (half day) your child attends nursery - this should be in line with the Bows and Arrows policies (our policies are available for you to read on the company website)
• Breakfast
• Sun cream

If you do not to pay the consumable charge the following additional services may not be available to your child -

• Forest Schools teaching staff, specialist equipment, waterproof clothing, coach hire and weekly forest school sessions.
• Additional activities/specialist tuition we arrange in the nursery such as yoga, music, or dance.
• Trips out of the nursery.

Consideration will always be given to equality of opportunity for any children who do not to pay the consumable fee.

Increase in Funded Childcare from September 2025:

• From September 2025: Working parents of children from the age of nine months old to school age will be entitled to 30 hours free childcare per week.

Funding Forms:

Using your child’s ‘Universal’ or ‘Extended’ funding with Bows & Arrows nurseries is simple. If we have availability, you can use funding for any session. We don’t

limit the funded spaces we make available.

To secure your childcare funding each term, by the deadlines we advise you need to

1.     Complete a Suffolk County Council ‘Parent Authorisation Form’ in advance of the term (a ‘PAF’), and update it promptly when we ask you, termly.

2.     Sign the personalised ‘Stretch Agreement’ we’ll give you if you’re using your funding across 46 weeks.

3.     Have proven your entitlement to funding:

o  3-4 year olds: access the ‘universal’ 15-hours term time care from the term after your child turns 3. 

Please provide birth evidence such as Birth Certificate, or Passport.

o  3-4 year olds: access an additional 15-hours term time care by providing a Gov.uk childcare code from Apply for 30 hours free childcare -GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

o  2 year olds: a ‘Golden Ticket’ from Suffolk County Council or other appropriate proof for 15 hours term-time care (see: Help paying for childcare: Free

education and childcare for 2-year-olds - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If we do not receive these by the deadline, we can’t process them in time for Suffolk County Council to confirm your funding. 

In that event, you can keep your nursery place, but you will have to pay Fees.

We encourage you to telephone or arrange a Zoom meeting with a Nursery Support Assistant if you need help with this key document.

Here is the Parent Authorisation Form for completion to enable us to claim your child's funding. PAF Form

For up to date, reliable advice on government funding for your 2 or 3-4 year old we recommend www.childcarechoices.gov.uk  You can also talk to our Nursery Support team on 01473 599038.

Terms & Conditions: detailed terms and conditions can be found within our Registration Form and Parent Contract