Growing Minds Montessori Childcare is an independent business and sets its own Terms and Conditions, including fees. You must read this Fees Policy carefully so you fully understand what is expected of you.
If fees are not paid, we reserve the right to immediately terminate childcare (as stated in our Terms and Conditions) and take legal action to recover any outstanding fees. Legal action may affect your credit rating in the future.
Retainers, Deposits and Settling-In
Retainers
A retainer keeps a place open for a child if you wish to suspend childcare over an extended period of three weeks or more
We charge half of the normal fees during the waiting period.
Please note:
- Retainer fees are non-refundable, unless we are unable to offer the place when the childcare is due to start/return.
- If we cannot offer the place, the retainer will be repaid in full.
- A retainer will not be charged when we are closed or unable to provide a service.
- We cannot charge a retainer fee for an unborn baby.
Deposits
A deposit is paid to reserve your child’s place for an agreed future start date.
Your child’s place will only be reserved once the deposit has been paid in full and cleared into our account.
The deposit is calculated as two weeks of normal fees based on the child’s usual sessions.
- If we are unable to offer the place, the deposit will be returned in full.
- If you cancel the place within one month of your child’s start date, the deposit will be retained.
- The deposit will be credited against your first month’s fees, minus any other charges.
- The deposit may be adjusted if your child’s days or hours change before care begins.
Registration Fee
We do not charge a registration fee for paperwork or initial information sharing.
Settling-In Sessions
Settling-in sessions are an important part of helping your child transition into our care.
We offer:
- 1 × 1-hour session
- 1 × 2-hour session
These are free of charge.
We reserve the right to request additional short settling-in sessions if your child does not appear to be settling well. Parents may also request additional sessions if they feel their child needs more time to adjust.
Additional settling-in sessions will be charged at the normal hourly rate and billed in advance.
Settling-In / Cooling-Off Period
We offer a two-week settling-in period. All booked hours are payable in advance.
We reserve the right to extend the settling-in period if we feel your child is not yet settled.
During this period:
- Either party may terminate the contract without prejudice.
- If we end the contract, any unused fees will be refunded by the last working day of the contract.
- If payment was made via Tax-Free Childcare, refunds must legally be returned to the Tax-Free Childcare account rather than directly to parents.
Any overtime or additional charges will become immediately payable by bank transfer or may be deducted from any deposit or outstanding balance where appropriate.
If you terminate the contract during this period, fees for booked sessions will be retained, as those sessions were reserved solely for your child.
Fees Payable
Our fees are all-inclusive.
This includes:
- Food and drinks (including formula milk for children under 1 if required)
- Nappies and wipes
- Daily activities
- Local outings
- Other routine childcare provisions
Optional extras such as special outings (e.g. zoo trips) may incur an additional charge.
Hourly fee: £9.35 per hour
Sibling Discount
Sibling discounts may be available depending on the total hours attended by all siblings.
- The oldest sibling receives the discount.
- If a sibling leaves our care, fees will revert to the standard rate.
- Sibling discount is not available for funded places.
Calculating Fees
Examples:
- If a child is booked 8:00 –13:00, the hourly rate applies.
- If booked 8:00 – 13:00 but collected at 12:00, the hourly rate for 08:00 – 13:00 still applies.
- If booked 8:00 – 13:00 but arrives at 9:00 and collected at 14:00, the hourly rate will have been charged in advance and an additional hour will be invoiced at the booked or non-booked overtime rate.
The Attendance Register records the exact arrival and departure times for each child. This can be viewed at any mutually agreed time should any queries arise, or the information may be available on the parent nursery app.
Additional Charges
Early arrival / late collection: £5 per 5 minutes
Unsociable hours: £9.35 per hour before 8:00am and after 6:00pm
Child / family holiday: Full fee payable
Child / family illness: Full fee payable
Parent occasional days off: Full fee payable
Bank holidays: No charge
Booked overtime: Charged at the normal hourly rate
Non-booked overtime: £5 per 5 minutes
Overtime is not always available, as we must remain within Ofsted staff-to-child ratios. If overtime would take us over ratio limits, we are required to inform Ofsted and our insurance provider.
Please inform us as soon as possible if you expect to be late so we can reassure your child.
Outings
Routine outings are included in fees.
A contribution towards entry fees may be requested for special outings. These will always be discussed with parents in advance.
Food Provision
Meals, snacks and drinks are included.
Breakfast: Provided if your child arrives before 8:45am
Morning snack: Approx. 10:00–10:15am
Lunch: Approx. 12:00–12:45pm
Afternoon snack: Approx. 3:00–3:15pm
Tea: Approx. 4:30–5:00pm
If a child leaves before 4:30pm, tea will not normally be provided.
Fresh drinking water is available throughout the day in age-appropriate cups.
Other Fee Information
Funded Sessions
We are registered with our Local Authority to provide funded childcare for children aged 9 months to 4 years.
A separate Fees Policy applies to funded hours.
Any additional hours booked beyond funded entitlement will be charged at the normal hourly rate.
Part-Time Care
We aim to offer flexible hours wherever possible.
However, to effectively deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, we require a minimum booking of:
- 5 hours per session
- 10 hours per week
Extra Expenses
Additional expenses may occasionally occur.
These are normally agreed in advance but may include items such as:
- Replacement clothing if borrowed items are not returned
- Replacement reusable nappies
- Other sundry items
These costs will be added to the next invoice.
Term-Time Only Care
We are happy to discuss term-time-only arrangements.
If your child attends term-time only, based on Cheshire West & Chester term dates, fees are not normally charged during holidays.
However, if you request childcare during holiday periods, normal fees will apply.
Holiday-Only Provision
Holiday-only childcare can be offered where availability allows.
- No holding fee is charged during term time.
- Sessions are charged at the normal hourly rate.
Payments
Paying Fees
Invoices are issued 1–2 weeks before the end of the month.
Payment must be made by 12:00 noon on the last working day of the month.
Fees cover all contracted hours for the following month and must be paid in advance.
If you require weekly payments or an alternative payment date, please discuss this with us.
Contracted hours are payable regardless of late arrival, early collection, illness or occasional absence.
Payment Options
We accept:
- Direct debit
- Bank transfer
- Childcare vouchers
- Tax-Free Childcare
- A combination of these methods
We do not accept cash or cheques.
Parents remain responsible for ensuring payment is received, even if payments are made through vouchers, Universal Credit or other schemes.
Payment Date
Payment must be received by 12:00 noon on the last working day of the month, unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed in advance.
Unpaid Fees
Late payments will incur:
- £30 late payment fee on the first day overdue
- Interest of up to 1.5% per day on the outstanding balance
If fees remain unpaid by the end of the first week of the month, the contract may be terminated and legal advice may be sought.
Help With Fees
You may be eligible for help with childcare costs.
For more information please speak to us or visit:
Problems Paying Fees
If you are experiencing difficulties paying fees, please speak to us as soon as possible.
We would much prefer to work with you to resolve the issue rather than terminate childcare arrangements.
Contract Termination
All fees must be paid in full before a contract is terminated.
Either party must normally give a minimum of one month’s written notice.
Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for circumstances involving immediate termination.
The notice period:
- Does not include holiday periods
- Is chargeable at the normal rate
If fees remain outstanding, including fees in lieu of notice, this will constitute a breach of contract and legal action may be pursued.
Fees Review
Fees are reviewed annually.
Parents will be given at least one month’s written notice of any fee increase.
Important Reminder
Booked sessions are reserved solely for your child’s use.
This means:
- We cannot offer those places to other children.
- Full fees are charged for late arrivals or early collections.
Session swaps may be possible subject to availability and must be approved by a Director or the Nursery Manager.
We will always invoice for booked sessions unless we are closed or unable to provide a service.
Deductions for bank holidays or planned closures will be applied in advance.
Any deductions due to unexpected service interruptions will be applied to the following month’s invoice.
If you have any questions about this Fees Policy, please do not hesitate to discuss them with us.
Policy Information
Adopted on: 01/04/2026
Signed on behalf of the nursery: D Finney
Review date: 31/12/2026