Early Years Funding at Banana Moon Caversham
Early Years Funding at Banana Moon Caversham
We know that understanding childcare funding can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, and we want to make the process as clear and reassuring as possible. This guide explains how funded childcare works, how to apply, and how we offer funding here at Banana Moon Caversham.
Government Funded Childcare
Government funded childcare is available for eligible children at different stages, depending on their age and family circumstances.
From 9 Months Old
Eligible working families may be entitled to 30 hours of funded childcare per week, subject to meeting the Government eligibility criteria. This would apply the term after they turn 9 months.
From 3 Years Old
All children are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare from the term after their third birthday.
Eligible working families may also qualify for an additional 15 funded hours, providing up to 30 funded hours per week, subject to eligibility.
How Do I Apply?
Families applying for working parent funding, including funding for eligible children from 9 months old and the additional funding for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds, will need to apply through their Government Childcare Account.
More information can be found on the Childcare Choices
Once your application has been approved, you will receive an eligibility code. Please provide this code to the nursery as soon as possible so that we can validate your funded place. Families must also reconfirm their eligibility every three months to continue receiving funded hours.
We also accept workplace childcare vouchers, Enjoy Benefits, YellowNest and Tax-Free Childcare.
If you would like any support with the application process, please speak to a member of our nursery team. We are always happy to help and guide you through the steps.
How Funding Works at Banana Moon Caversham
Government funding is calculated over 38 weeks of the year, which reflects a term-time-only offer.
As Banana Moon Caversham is open 51 weeks a year, we stretch funded hours across the full year. This helps families benefit from more consistent monthly invoices and also supports children with the comfort of familiar routines, relationships and learning throughout the year.
When funding is stretched across 51 weeks, this means:
- 30 funded hours (term time) are stretched to approximately 22 funded hours per week across 51 weeks.
- 15 funded hours (term time) are stretched to approximately 11 funded hours per week across 51 weeks.
This approach gives families more predictable monthly fees and helps children enjoy the security and continuity of regular routines, learning and friendships.
Consumable Costs
Government funding makes an important contribution towards your child's education and care. However, it does not cover all of the additional resources, materials and experiences that help make each nursery day rich, engaging and enjoyable.
We kindly ask families for a contribution towards consumables. This helps us continue providing a warm, enriched and stimulating environment where children can learn, explore and thrive. This contribution supports items and experiences such as:
- Arts and craft materials for special events
- Paper, paints, glue and learning resources for special events
- Tissues, wipes, bibs, sheets and blanket (washed at nursery)
- Sunscreen (during the summer months)
· Enrichment experiences each term, including visits from carefully selected external providers such as birds of prey specialists, animal educators and science workshops
· Gardening and growing activities
· Baking opportunities for the children
- Weekly Boogie Mites music sessions
- Pyjama Drama an exciting way to bring stories to life
These resources and experiences make a real difference to children's learning and development, helping us create enjoyable, meaningful and memorable moments throughout the nursery day.
Food Costs
Throughout the nursery day, children are offered healthy snacks, drinks and opportunities to explore food in a positive way through cooking and baking activities.
Our food cost helps cover items such as:
- Healthy morning and afternoon snacks
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Milk and drinking water
- Two nutritious warm meals changed for the seasons
- Seasonal celebrations and special food experiences
These experiences gently support children in developing healthy eating habits, independence, confidence and valuable life skills.
Working Together
At Banana Moon Caversham, we are proud to work in partnership with our families to provide high-quality care, learning and experiences for every child. We want families to feel informed, supported and confident about how funding works, and to understand how contributions help us maintain the safe, nurturing and enriching nursery environment that children enjoy each day.
@BananaMoon - 16 hours ago
Get in touch today
We are confident you will appreciate our nursery, its setting and facilities. Should you wish to visit, we are available at any time to meet with you. Any comments or input from parents are always welcome.
Opening Times
We are open 7.30am - 6.30pm
Caversham
Banana Moon Day Nursery, 371 Gosbrook Road
Caversham
RG4 8ED
info@bananamoon-caversham.co.uk
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