Payment for Sessions 

Admissions

 

It is our intention to make pre-school accessible to children and families from all sections of the local community providing a minimum of 2 sessions per week and offering up to 10 sessions if places are available.

 

Sessions will be offered based on the following criteria:

 

Date of birth, date of entry onto the waiting list, completed paperwork, available sessions, and supply of copy birth certificate and proof of address.

 

 

FEES

 

As of September 2025: £22.50 per session, plus a £10 voluntary contribution monthly for snack and consumables i.e., nappies, wipes, gloves, handwash, paper towels etc

 

Unless prior arrangement has been made with the Pre-school Lead or office staff, fees are to be paid monthly in advance. All parents will be given a ‘pay by’ date.

 

Any parent who has difficulty with fees, i.e. you are receiving benefits or have a change in circumstances, should speak to the Pre-school Lead so that any additional funding sources may be investigated.

 

Please be aware although it is a voluntary contribution for snack and consumables if you choose not to pay this you will be expected to supply the snack and consumables as per the lists attached (snack menu will be advised weekly on the window, and consumables will need to be brought in with your child for each session).

 

If holidays are taken during term times fees must be paid in full to keep the child’s place and cover operating costs. The same applies for illness, with the exception of stays in hospital and the following infectious diseases:- Chickenpox, Mumps, Measles, German Measles (Rubella), and Whooping Cough. In these cases an amendment will be made on the following month’s fees.

 

FUNDING

 

FEEE 3&4 Year Funding

 

The Government provide 15 hours of funding for 38 weeks representing a school year. This funding becomes available in the term after your child’s third birthday and forms will be provided by us to claim your allowance.

 

If your child attends more than 15 hours per week, either with us or shared with another setting, you will be asked to pay for those sessions for which we are unable to obtain funding at Rainbow’s current sessional rate.

 

30 Hours Extended Funding

 

Parents who feel they may qualify for the extended entitlement of 30 hours funding can check their eligibility via Childcare Choices at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk or the Childcare Calculator at: https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator Those who could be eligible for Tax Free Childcare will be directed to the digital childcare service to apply.

 

Rainbow Pre-school offers a maximum of 30 hours per week; however, parents are welcome to complete the extended offer with another setting.

 

FEEE 2 Year Funding

 

Where spaces allow, we are registered to take those children who meet the criteria set for disadvantaged two-year funding. Parents should register with Essex Early Years via the link:

 

https://www.essex.gov.uk/Education-Schools/Early-Years childcare/Help%20paying%20for%20childcare/Pages/Two-year-old-Free Early-Education-ntitlement.aspx to make an application.

 

Assisted applications can also be made, please contact the office in order to arrange a time to complete this process.

 

30 Hours Funding for 2 Year Olds of Working Parents

 

The Government provides 30 hours of funding for 38 weeks representing a school year. This funding becomes available in the term after your child’s second birthday and forms will be provided by us to claim your allowance.

 

Parents who feel they may qualify for the entitlement of 30 hours funding can check their eligibility via Childcare Choices at:  https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk or the Childcare Calculator at: https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator Those who could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare will be directed to the digital childcare service to apply.

 

Events Necessitating Closure

 

In the event of any of the following exceptional circumstances, Rainbow Preschool may not be able to open, or may have to close, a daily session early.

 

• Adverse weather conditions

• Power failure

• Burst pipes and/or flooding

• No heating during cold weather

• No hot or running water

• Staff sickness

• Security/safety warnings e.g. fire, gas leak 20

• Pandemic, following advice from the Government or relevant authority

• Epidemic, following advice from the Infection Control Unit

 

In the case of Rainbow Pre-school being unable to open the following steps will be followed to keep parents informed of the situation.

• Notice on our website at www.rainbowpre-school.com

• Post on our Facebook page – Rainbow preschool Wickford

• www.essex.gov.uk – search emergency school closures

• Telephone/Text/WhatsApp

• Sign on the door

 

In the event Rainbow Pre-school must close a daily session or in the event any of the reasons for closing occur, we will endeavour to:-

 

• Contact all parents using current contact numbers. Please ensure that you advise us of any telephone number changes.

• Use emergency numbers if parents cannot be contacted.

• In the event we are unable to contact either the parent or emergency contact, we will follow our Uncollected Child Policy and Procedure.

 

Please note, due to administrative and running costs we will not be able to offer refunds

 

Notice Period

 

Please provide a minimum of 21 days’ notice to the Pre-school Lead if your child is leaving the pre-school, or if you wish to alter the number of sessions attended, so that arrangements can be made to offer their place to someone else. If the Pre-school Lead is given less than 21 days’ notice, then fees continue to be due. Failure to pay all monies due before your final day can result in an application to the Small Claims Court.