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.

Bows and Arrows Fees as of 1^stApril 2025:

Additional Provisions:

All families will be sent a monthly invoice for additional provisions; as at 1^st April 2025 the amount is 30 pence per hour, so charged at £1.20 per half-day attendance, per child. Government funding is intended to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high quality, flexible childcare. It is not intended to cover the costs of snacks, meals, consumables, additional hours or additional services; therefore parents (or the usual bill payer) can expect to pay for these.

Bows and Arrows asks all families to pay an additional provisions fee to cover the costs of additional services, snacks, and consumable items. We are mindful of the impact of additional fees on parents, especially the most disadvantaged, so if you experience difficulties meeting the cost of this fee 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 and “opt out” of enhanced provision activities for your child.

This involves supplying the items on the list below:

• 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 Bows and Arrows website)
• Breakfast
• Sun cream

If you do not to pay the additional provisions fee, the following activities may not be available to your child:

• Weekly forest school sessions - including 2 x teaching staff, specialist equipment, waterproof clothing and weekly coach hire.    
• Ad hoc trips out of the nursery

Late collection fees

Late collection fees are charged £5 per instance, plus the relevant hourly rate charged in 30 minute blocks.

Permanent changes to bookings

Admin fees are charged at £3 each time you change your ongoing pattern, this is added to your next bill. For your child’s funded sessions, we waive the fee for any changes to your booking pattern.

Deposits

For children aged under two years old we require you to pay a deposit of £50. The deposit is a one-off payment to show your intention and commitment to take up a place. The deposit will be credited to your account to pay the additional provisions fee, other fees, or refunded if there are no charges to pay, this credit will be actioned after your child commences at the nursery and has attended the nursery for at least 4 weeks.

Further information is available in our terms and conditions.

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

• Complete a Suffolk County Council ‘Parent Authorisation Form’ in advance of the term (a ‘PAF’), and update it promptly when we ask you, termly.
• Sign the personalised ‘Stretch Agreement’ we’ll give you if you’re using your funding across 46 weeks.
• Have proven your entitlement to funding:
• 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.

• 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).
• 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