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Funding at Golden Apples Nurseries – Cambridgeshire

Warm, inclusive, and fully aligned with the new September 2026 funding structure.

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Government‑Funded Childcare

At Golden Apples, we are pleased to offer Government‑funded childcare places for eligible families. Funding may be available for 15 or 30 hours per week during term time, depending on your child’s age and your family’s eligibility.

Funding arrangements are set by Cambridgeshire County Council, and we provide families with the relevant official documents so they can review their exact entitlement.

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How Our Funding Works

Golden Apples delivers funded childcare through fixed funded sessions, available on both a Term Time and Stretched (all‑year‑round) basis.

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Term Time vs Stretched Funding (Cambridgeshire)

  • Term Time funding is delivered across 38 weeks.

  • Stretched funding spreads your annual entitlement across 50 weeks, following Cambridgeshire’s delivery model.

 

Golden Apples nurseries are open for 51 weeks per year. Because Cambridgeshire stretched funding is calculated over 50 weeks, this means one week each year is unfunded.

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This unfunded week is allocated at the start of the Autumn term, and families will receive advance notice should they wish to book this week as privately paid childcare.

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Changing between Term Time and Stretched funding is only possible at the start of the academic year (September), as your entitlement is calculated across the full year.

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Funded Sessions

All funded sessions must begin at 8am, 9am, or 1pm.

We offer the following funded session lengths:

  • 10 hours

  • 7.5 hours

  • 6 hours

  • 5 hours

  • 4.5 hours

  • 3 hours

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Sessions cannot be combined. If you choose to collect your child earlier, this is permitted, but the full session will still be claimed as funded.

Any additional hours beyond your funded session will be charged at your nursery’s standard hourly rate.

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Weekly Entitlement – Cambridgeshire

Stretched Funding – 50 Weeks

  • 15 hours → 11.4 hours per week (Golden Apples delivers 11.5 hours, and the claim is amended accordingly.)

  • 30 hours → 22.8 hours per week (Golden Apples delivers 22.5 hours, and the claim is amended accordingly.)

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Term Time Funding – 38 Weeks

  • 15 hours → 15 hours per week

  • 30 hours → 30 hours per week

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What Government Funding Covers

Government funding provides access to free, high‑quality childcare. It does not cover:

  • Meals and snacks

  • Nappies, wipes, creams, sun cream

  • Additional hours beyond your funded entitlement

  • Optional extra‑curricular enrichment activities

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Optional Chargeable Extras

Extra‑Curricular Activities

These optional experiences enrich your child’s learning journey and go beyond the statutory EYFS curriculum. Activities may include:

  • Themed Days

  • Annual Celebrations

  • Gifts to take home

  • Extended Learning (e.g., trips)

  • Stay and Plays

  • Visiting the local community

  • Sports Days

  • Enhanced Sensory Learning

  • Gardening Club

  • Special Visitors

  • Cooking Classes

  • Nursery Graduation

  • Nature Walks

  • Visits from the Local Community

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Cost per funded session:

  • 10 hours – £6.00

  • 7.5 hours – £4.50

  • 6 hours – £3.60

  • 5 hours – £3.00

  • 4.5 hours – £2.70

  • 3 hours – £1.80

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Families may opt in or opt out. Choices are fixed for the term.

If you opt out, your child will still receive the full EYFS curriculum.

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Food Provision

Golden Apples provides freshly prepared meals and snacks throughout the day, supporting healthy eating habits and social development.

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Food provision includes:

  • Breakfast

  • Mid‑morning snack

  • Two‑course lunch

  • Afternoon snack on demand

  • Light two‑course tea

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Cost per funded session:

  • 10 hours – £9.00

  • 7.5 hours – £6.75

  • 6 hours – £5.40

  • 5 hours – £4.50

  • 4.5 hours – £4.05

  • 3 hours – £2.70

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Families may opt into food provision or provide food from home in line with our Food From Home Policy.

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Non‑Food Consumables

These items must be provided daily in your child’s bag:

  • Nappies

  • Wipes

  • Nappy bags

  • Cream

  • Sun cream

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If a child arrives without required items, a £20 ADHOC fee will be charged to cover staff time purchasing replacements.

 

Additional Information

A deposit (please refer to the nursery price list) is required upon enrolment to secure a place at the nursery, which is refunded once your child has started with us.

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If you choose to take any additional paid hours on top of your funded entitlement, a non‑refundable administration fee will apply (please refer to the nursery price list). This fee covers all administration costs and supports the delivery of two to three settling visits and a meeting with the manager to discuss your child’s needs, interests and routines. This fee applies only to families purchasing privately paid hours.

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Any additional hours, meals, snacks, or optional extra‑curricular activities are chargeable in line with your nursery’s price list.

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If the sessions listed do not fully meet your family’s needs, your Nursery Manager will be happy to discuss this with you and explore options that may be tailored to offer appropriate support.

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