Question 1

When does my funding start?

Accepted Answer

Funding starts the “school” term after your child turns the eligible age. This is just how the government allocate funding even if we offer year-round care.

Question 2

If 15 hours equals two days of care, why hasn’t my fee reduced by 20%?

Accepted Answer

Fees aren’t calculated this way. Government funding only covers part of the cost of childcare, which is the case at most nurseries.

Question 3

Why can’t I use all 30 funded hours over three days?

Accepted Answer

The maximum number of funded hours that can be used in a single session varies depending on the session you attend. Please see our pricing document for details of the maximum funded hours available per session.

Question 4

Can I increase my days while using funding?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but speak to the nursery manager regarding availability first, and then we can confirm the costs with finance.

Question 5

Can I just do my free funded hours?

Accepted Answer

Check our fee structure and speak to the nursery manager to see what’s possible.

Question 6

How do I access tax-free childcare?

Accepted Answer

You can find all the information on the Best Start in Life website. 
Payments must be made by the 1st of each month - if this is not submitted by the 1st, you'll be charged the full amount and the tax-free childcare will be applied to the following month.

Question 7

How do I claim funding?

Accepted Answer

You’ll need to submit your funding code or letter and details through our system. We’ll then approve it and apply it to your fees.

There are deadlines, if you miss the deadline, you will be charged for the full nursery fees as we do not have a way to claim these until the next term.

Question 8

What is Funding Loop?

Accepted Answer

Funding Loop is a software platform that helps parents and nurseries with the process of claiming government funding. You can click here to learn more.

Question 9

How do I pay my childcare fees?

Accepted Answer

You will be invoiced in advance of the new month and payment will be taken my Direct Debit within the first week of the month.
For parents paying partially by Childcare vouchers or tax-free account, your Direct Debit will be adjusted accordingly (you will see the full amount on the invoice).
Please note that the Voucher payment must be received in advance of the Direct Debit, for example, a Voucher payment of £243 is received by us on 16th May, it will be allocated and reduced from your 1st June invoice.
We do not accept cash payments , credit cards or bank transfers.

Question 10

Can I pay using childcare vouchers?

Accepted Answer

We accept most childcare vouchers, please note all vouchers must have your child's name or reference on them or they will remain unallocated to your account.
We are currently registered with a number of different voucher companies but can easily register with any new companies if required. Vouchers should be received before we take your Direct Debit payment.

Question 11

Can I pay using the Tax-Free childcare scheme?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You will need to set up your own tax-free childcare account.

Find further information here.

Question 12

What happens if I don’t start having reserved a place?

Accepted Answer

In this case, you have already paid your non-refundable registration fee. You would also lose your £250 deposit and if you have already been invoiced for your first month, you will be required to pay this invoice in full.

Question 13

Can I reduce my hours in the holidays?

Accepted Answer

We do not allow a reduction of hours in a holiday. We have very limited Term Time only contracts for a handful of customers - these are not guaranteed and at the managers discretion.

Question 14

Are you closed on public and bank holidays? Do I have to pay?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are closed on all English public holidays. You will be charged for bank holidays as with most nurseries.

Question 15

Can my child attend extras one off or ad-hoc sessions and how do I book them?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is possible to book ad-hoc sessions which can be requested on our website. However this is based on the availability of staff and capacity of rooms, so please give us as much notice as possible.
Please note that your ad-hoc session request must be confirmed by the nursery manager by email. Once your session has been booked you will be charged unless cancelled with a minimum of 48 hours notice.
​
Ad-hoc sessions are charged at a slightly higher rate, please consult your fees or ask the nursery manager.

Question 16

How do I pay for ad-hoc sessions?

Accepted Answer

Ad-hoc sessions will be invoices on confirmation of the space, or sometimes based on our invoicing cycles will be added to the following month's invoice and collected by Direct Debit.​

Question 17

Will I be charged if I collect my child late for any session?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a late collection fee. Please refer to our terms and conditions for details.
Please note that we will strictly follow our Late Collection and Non-Collection Policy.

Question 18

Can my child stay for an extra hour if I am unable to collect them at 1pm?

Accepted Answer

We will always endeavour to be flexible and accommodate such a request but if we are full for the next session this will mean it is not possible and due to required staff breaks. Please contact the management to confirm availability - additional charges will apply, and will be invoiced at full ad-hoc session rates - there is no hourly rate.

Question 19

Can I drop my child off before 7.30am?

Accepted Answer

No. Due to staff ratios, supervision and insurance, we do not offer this.

Question 20

What do we do if we are on holiday and do we still need to pay?

Accepted Answer

Please let the nursery know if your child will be absent for holidays, your child's key person will be planning activities for your child and it helps them to be aware so they plan effectively for your child's next learning steps. Please see terms and conditions relating to holiday payments. Full fees will still be required if your child does not attend due to a holiday as our costs do not stop.

Question 21

When will my child be eligible for the nursery education funding?

Accepted Answer

All children are eligible the first full term after they turn 3 for Universal Funding (in some circumstances funding could also be available from two years old, please contact the nursery manager for more information) or 9 months if eligible for Working Families Funding. 
​
Please note that our nursery has minimum sessions.

Question 22

What does 15 hours funding equate to?

Accepted Answer

We offer the universal 15 hours free childcare over 51 weeks of the year which equates to 11 hours 10 mins a week.We described previously we do not offer term-time only attendance.​

Question 23

What is the governments 30 hours funding?

Accepted Answer

The Government's 30 Hours Childcare funding is available to eligible working families in England with children from 9 months old until they start school.At The Butterfly Patch, we offer this as a stretched entitlement of up to 22 hours and 21 minutes per week.To learn more, check your eligibility or apply, visit the Government's Childcare Checker: https://childcare.beststartinlife.gov.uk/.

Question 24

Do you offer the Government 30 Hours Childcare funding?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer the Government 30 Hours Childcare funding for eligible families. The funding is provided as a stretched offer of up to 22 hours and 21 minutes per week.Full details, including how the funding works and any applicable session requirements, can be found on our current fee sheet. If you have any questions about eligibility or using your funded hours, our team will be happy to help.

Question 25

We are moving from another nursery to yours, can we start using our funding straight away?

Accepted Answer

No, unless you're moving around the "school term" start dates.
The local authority funding is based on school terms, so if you start during school holidays or during a term you will not get funding until the start of the next term.
​
You will be required to pay full nursery fees until we receive your funding.

Question 26

How can I claim funding for my little one?

Accepted Answer

Speak to the nursery manager to discuss funding.

We have recently partnered up with FundingLoop to make claiming funding easier. Check out the document below to find out more.

Question 27

Where can I find your fees?

Accepted Answer

You can find our fees on each location page using the links below!

Cobham
Croydon
Hampton Court 
Morden Park 
South Norwood
Sutton
Wallington

Mindful Nurseries

Question 28

How much notice do I have to give if I want to leave The Butterfly Patch?

Accepted Answer

The contract lasts until it is terminated by either you or us giving to the other, in writing, at least two months’ notice. You are liable for the fee during the notice period.

If you fail to give proper notice, you are still responsible for the payment of two months in lieu of notice as a debt.

Question 29

What notice periods do we require?

Accepted Answer

We ask that you kindly give us as much notice as possible to increase your little one(s) sessions - please note that there may be a waiting list.

We will always try to accommodate you, however, there is no guarantee.

If you decide to reduce your little one(s) sessions or would like to leave us we require that you give us as much notice as possible with a minimum of two full months.

This is to ensure we retain and recruit the best staff we have and to offer other families on our waiting list your sessions.

Question 30

What are consumables charges?

Accepted Answer

Click here to find out more about our consumable charges & policy

Question 31

Are there any terms attached to the '1 month free' or '2 months free' offers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Any promotional offer that includes 1 month free is subject to a minimum enrolment period of 3 consecutive months from your child’s start date.

Any promotional offer that includes 2 months free is subject to a minimum enrolment period of 6 consecutive months from your child’s start date.

If your child leaves the nursery before the relevant minimum enrolment period has been completed, the full fees for the free months received as part of the offer will become payable and invoiced accordingly.

Question 32

What is the Hands-On Helpers discount?

Accepted Answer

Our Hands-On Helpers discount gives eligible families 5% off nursery fees. It is designed for parents and carers working in hands-on, practical and essential roles that help keep everyday life moving. This includes roles such as retail workers, cleaners, builders and tradespeople, warehouse and delivery workers, hospitality staff, care workers, teachers and teaching assistants, mechanics, factory workers and similar roles. If you’re unsure whether your role qualifies, please ask your nursery team. Please note proof of current employment will be required to receive the discount, such as a recent payslip or employment letter.

Finance Hub

Funding FAQs

Finance FAQs

Funding Corner

Frequently asked questions

When does my funding start?

If 15 hours equals two days of care, why hasn’t my fee reduced by 20%?

Why can’t I use all 30 funded hours over three days?

Can I increase my days while using funding?

Can I just do my free funded hours?

How do I access tax-free childcare?

How do I claim funding?

What is Funding Loop?

How do I pay my childcare fees?

Can I pay using childcare vouchers?

Can I pay using the Tax-Free childcare scheme?

What happens if I don’t start having reserved a place?

Can I reduce my hours in the holidays?

Are you closed on public and bank holidays? Do I have to pay?

Can my child attend extras one off or ad-hoc sessions and how do I book them?

How do I pay for ad-hoc sessions?

Will I be charged if I collect my child late for any session?

Can my child stay for an extra hour if I am unable to collect them at 1pm?

Can I drop my child off before 7.30am?

What do we do if we are on holiday and do we still need to pay?

When will my child be eligible for the nursery education funding?

What does 15 hours funding equate to?

What is the governments 30 hours funding?

Do you offer the Government 30 Hours Childcare funding?

We are moving from another nursery to yours, can we start using our funding straight away?

How can I claim funding for my little one?

Where can I find your fees?

How much notice do I have to give if I want to leave The Butterfly Patch?

What notice periods do we require?

What are consumables charges?

Are there any terms attached to the '1 month free' or '2 months free' offers?

What is the Hands-On Helpers discount?

If you have any questions, please let us know, we'll be happy to chat about all things funding.

Finance Corner

Frequently asked questions

How do I pay my childcare fees?

Can I pay using childcare vouchers?

Can I pay using the Tax-Free childcare scheme?

What happens if I don’t start having reserved a place?

Can I reduce my hours in the holidays?

Are you closed on public and bank holidays? Do I have to pay?

Can my child attend extras one off or ad-hoc sessions and how do I book them?

How do I pay for ad-hoc sessions?

Will I be charged if I collect my child late for any session?

Can my child stay for an extra hour if I am unable to collect them at 1pm?

Can I drop my child off before 7.30am?

What do we do if we are on holiday and do we still need to pay?

When will my child be eligible for the nursery education funding?

What does 15 hours funding equate to?

What is the governments 30 hours funding?

Do you offer the Government 30 Hours Childcare funding?

We are moving from another nursery to yours, can we start using our funding straight away?

How can I claim funding for my little one?

Where can I find your fees?

How much notice do I have to give if I want to leave The Butterfly Patch?

What notice periods do we require?

What are consumables charges?

Are there any terms attached to the '1 month free' or '2 months free' offers?

What is the Hands-On Helpers discount?

If you have any questions, please let us know, we'll be happy to chat about all things funding.