Dates, times and fees

We are open every weekday during the school terms including half-term holidays, but we do not open on bank holidays. Full day-care is available, or children can attend one morning or afternoon session each day, either with or without Lunch Club.

* by prior arrangement with the School Manager

Children bring their own packed lunches to eat at Lunch Club, under the supervision of one member of staff for every five children. (Please note that lunches are not refrigerated.)

Fees

School fees are £4.80 per hour rounded up to the nearest quarter of an hour (£1.20).

There is a non-refundable registration fee of £25, payable when you enrol your child at the school.

Payments

Fees are payable in advance and may be paid weekly, monthly or termly. All sick days and absent days, including holidays taken in term time, must be paid for and cannot be exchanged for other days.

You can make payments by cash, cheque or bank standing order. If you would like to set up a standing order, please ask the classroom manager for the school's bank details. We regret that we cannot accept payment by credit/debit card or by Direct Debit at present.

If your employer offers Childcare Vouchers as part of a salary sacrifice scheme, you can use these to pay your fees. We are registered with various voucher schemes so please discuss your requirements with the the School Manager. You can find more information about voucher schemes and how they work with Tax Credits on the web site of HM Revenue and Customs.

Term dates 2008/9

The term dates for in 2009/10 are as follows:

End of term parties are held from 10.30am - 1.00pm on the last day of term, so in 2009/10 parties will be on 18th December 2009, 1st April 2009 and 23rd July 2009.

Free Entitlement

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) will fund up to fifteen hours per week for children over three years of age as part of the government's Free Entitlement scheme, but we charge you directly for the additional cost of the Montessori education. Our admissions policy does permit parents to take just the free entitlement if sufficient spaces are available, but prioritises those who want the Montessori education.

However, WSCC funds a maximum of 38 weeks of the year, whereas we open for 43 including half-term holidays. Any sessions over and above those funded by WSCC must be paid for in full by you. More information on the Free Entitlement can be found on the web site of West Sussex County Council, but be aware that it has not yet been updated to show the new, longer entitlement which is being piloted by selected pre-schools in 2009/10.

To apply for your Free Entitlement you must complete an application to the West Sussex Early Years Partnership, available from us, and show us your child's birth certificate as proof of age. The grant payments are made directly to the school.