Childcare funding from September 2026
From 1st September 2026 families eligible for the Government funding of 15 or 30 hours will be able to access the following sessions 9.00am to 12 noon, 1.00 to 4.00pm or 9.00am to 4.00pm free of charge.
Any additional hours outside of your funding entitlement or outside of the above sessions, will be charged at £9.00 per hour.
We offer a range of session times to suit your family’s needs.
Prices shown are per session for children aged 6 months to 5 years.
Opening hours 8:00am to 5:30pm
| Option | Session Time | Cost with funding | Cost without funding |
| Option 1 | 8:00am – 5:30pm | £22.50 | £85.50 |
| Option 2 | 8:00am – 4:00pm | £9.00 | £72.00 |
| Option 3 | 8:30am – 5:30pm | £18.00 | £81.00 |
| Option 4 | 8:30am – 4:00pm | £4.50 | £67.50 |
| Option 5 | 9:00am – 4:00pm | Free with funding | £63.00 |
| Option 6 | 8:00am – 12:00pm | £9.00 | £36.00 |
| Option 7 | 8:30am – 12:00pm | £4.50 | £31.50 |
| Option 8 | 9:00am – 12:00pm | Free with funding | £27.00 |
| Option 9 | 1:00pm – 5:30pm | £13.50 | £40.50 |
| Option 10 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm | Free with funding | £27.00 |
Lunch Hour (12:00pm – 1:00pm) £9.00
Two Course Cooked Lunch £4.55 per meal
Eligible parents will be entitled to either 570 or 1,140 funded hours per year, depending on their eligibility.
We allow funded hours to be stretched across the year. Stretched fees are calculated over 50 weeks. Fees are not payable during the Christmas and New Year period or on bank holidays.
All fees must be paid in advance on the 1st of each month by Direct Debit or through the Tax-Free Childcare scheme.
Breakfast – cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurt and wholemeal toast (for children who arrive at 8am) with a drink of fresh milk or water.
Morning & Afternoon snack – fresh fruit, vegetables, breadsticks, crackers, oat cakes, rice cakes and corn cakes.
Vegetarian, vegan and a range of free from foods – for any intolerances, preferences or allergies
Nappies, Cheeky Wipes (as part of our commitment to the environment we use reusable cloth baby wipes)
Sun cream – child friendly and factor 30 minimum
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
There are several ways in which financial help is provided towards childcare. Each of the support systems has differing qualifying criteria which you can find out more information about at the Best Start in Life website
If you would like more information on tax credits or benefits you may be entitled to, please visit GOV.UK Tax Credits.
For full information on school term and holiday dates in Cumbria, please click on the link below.