top of page

Funding information...

The Early Years Free Entitlement (EYFE) is a statutory entitlement for all children aged 9 months to 4 years if parents meet eligibility criteria, some 2-year-olds if parents claim certain benefits and 3 & 4 year olds. The universal entitlement is for a maximum of 15 hours per week over 38 weeks per year, or 570 hours stretched across the year. For extended entitlement this is for a maximum of 30 hours per week, over 38 weeks per year, or 1,140 hours stretched across the year. At Charley Barleys we ‘stretch’ the EYFE across 47.5 weeks of the year to a maximum of 12 hours or 24 hours each week,

Child's Birthday

1st January - 31st March

Eligible for EYFE From

1st April

Child's Birthday

1st April - 31st August

Eligible for EYFE From

1st September

Child's Birthday

1st September - 31st December

Eligible for EYFE From

1st January

Who is Eligible for Funded Nursery Places?

  • All children aged 9 months to 4 years can access up to 24 funded hours if parents meet eligibility criteria.

  • Some 2-year-olds can receive 12 hours if parents claim certain benefits.

  • All 3- and 4-year-olds are entitled to 12 hours per week, regardless of eligibility.

The new funding expansion in September 2025 ensures more families have access to affordable early years education.

More information and eligibility guidance can be found at childcarechoices.co.uk.

At Charley Barleys we offer two voluntary options for parents when using early years funding:

1.Enrichment Package – Includes funded hours plus access to enriching experiences, high-quality resources, outings, and enhanced learning opportunities, enhanced curriculum. No price change to what you are already paying.

2.EYFE-Only / Standalone Package – A fully government-funded option covering core care and learning, without access to additional activities, resources, consumables and food.

​

No matter which package you choose, we are committed to providing exceptional early years education. Our nurturing environment, dedicated staff, and engaging curriculum ensures that every child thrives.

​

Enrichment Package:

​

  • Flexibility with days/sessions on when to use your government funding hours.

  • Healthy meals prepared daily by our onsite chef. Freshly prepared from our 5-star healthy choice award menu with individual dietary requirements met.

  • Breakfast (for morning or full day session)

  • Home cooked 2 course lunch (for morning or full day session)

  • Home cooked 2 course tea (for afternoon or full day session) 

  • Healthy snacks in both the morning and afternoon

  • Oat milk and Cow’s milk provided.

  • Formula milk 

  • Cookery activities: From making their own lunch to cooking and tasting foods from other cultures and around the world. 

  • Trips: Beach Trips / Library Trips / I360 / Woods / Nursing home / Booth museum / Local walks with higher ratio of staff

  • Any other special activities, events or classes we arrange. 

  • Guest speakers 

  • Sessions from outside agencies: Yoga / Debutots (Toddlers and Preschool) 

  • All Toiletries required: (Nappies / Sensative baby wipes / Nappy cream / Nappy sacks / Face wipes / Hand towels / toothbrush)

  • Suncream and spare sun hats

  • Wet weather clothing for out in the gardens

  • Access to online learning journal (Tapestry) with updates, observations and ‘try this Tuesday’. For babies this includes care diaries.

EYFE-Only / Standalone Package:

​

  • Nursery curriculum

  • EYFE is covered entirely by the Government funding and allows 12 or 24 hours spread across 48 weeks (non-attendance 2 weeks at Christmas and 2 weeks in August).

Free government funded hours:

  • Universal 12 hour EYFE entitlement, you can request your child attends for the free EYFE hours only, either a Monday or Friday full day and an additional half day session to make up the hours, the day will depend on availability, or Monday and Friday 1pm to 6pm, with an additional half day session to make up the hours, the day will depend on availability for 48 weeks only.

  • Extended 24 hour EYFE entitlement, you can request your child attends for the free EYFE hours only, these can be taken Monday to Friday 1.15pm to 6pm for a maximum of 5 sessions per week for 48 weeks subject to availability.

 

  • Access to online learning journal (Tapestry) where you will receive one observation per week.

 

Things not included and need to provide:

  • All Toiletries required: (Nappies / Sensative baby wipes / Nappy cream / Nappy sacks / Face wipes / Hand towels / Suncream)

  • All meals: Please see our policies – Food and Nutrition policy and Meals from home policy. Meals must not need heating or refrigerating and will be stored on your child’s peg.

  • Bedding / Summer and Winter clothing – All labelled and packed daily.

  • No Trips or enhanced activities: Your child won’t be able to take part but an additional trip fee will be available.

 

*Please note that unfortunately if items are forgotten an emergency consumable charge will need to be applied.

*Food is not included in EYFE package, however at an additional charge EYFE-only children can opt in to the full meal service to cover all meals and snacks. We encourage parents to opt-in so their children can benefit from freshly prepared healthy food.

We employ a chef to prepare fresh, nutritious meals and snacks for your child each day they are with us. We have to charge you for this service because otherwise we wouldn’t be able to pay the chef wages or buy the food they prepare. Regarding the consumables we charge for, we know that it could end up being more expensive for you as parents to buy and provide your own nappies and wipes etc because we buy in bulk from commercial suppliers.

​

In addition to the early education and childcare places that the Government pays for, our nursery offers, trips, extra activities which we also charge you for. This is optional for your child but a great opportunity to boost their learning opportunities and personal, physical and social development.

​

​At Charley Barleys we ask that children attend a minimum of 2 sessions per week. This is to ensure continuity and the well-being of your child. It also gives the key person more time with them, enabling greater learning and development within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

EYFE-Only / Standalone Package: For the universal 15 hour EYFE entitlement, you can request your child attends for the free EYFE hours only, either a Monday or Friday full day and an additional half day session to make up the hours, the day will depend on availability. Or Monday and Friday 1pm to 6pm and an additional half day session to make up the hours, the day will depend on availability, for 47.5 weeks only.

​For the extended 30 hour EYFE entitlement, you can request your child attends for the free EYFE hours only, these can be taken Monday to Friday 1pm to 6pm for a maximum of 4 sessions per week for 47.5 weeks subject to availability.

​If your child also attends another setting or school nursery class please discuss with us for further clarification of EYFE. 

bottom of page