about us
Finance Hub
Welcome to our Finance Hub – your go-to place for all things funding and finance at The Butterfly Patch. Whether you’re looking for information on government funding options, need to submit your funding code, or have questions about payments, we’re here to help. Select an option below to get started.
Funding FAQs
Finance FAQs
Funding Corner
We know that understanding funding options can feel overwhelming, so we’ve made it simple. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about government support, including 15 & 30-hour funding, plus a handy place to submit your funding code. If you have any questions, check out our Funding FAQs for more guidance.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Fees aren’t calculated this way. Government funding only covers part of the cost of childcare, which is the case at most nurseries.
We allocate 5.5 hours of funding per day. Legally, we can’t allocate 11 hours in a single day. Government guidelines allow nurseries to structure funding in the way that works for them best.
Yes, but speak to the nursery manager regarding availability first, and then we can confirm the costs with finance.
Check our fee structure and speak to the nursery manager to see what’s possible.
You can find all the information on the Childcare Choices 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.
You’ll need to submit your funding code 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.
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.
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.
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.
You can set up your Direct Debit securely online here.
We recommend using the same email address as you registered your little one(s) with.
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.
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.
Yes, we are closed on all English public holidays. You will be charged for bank holidays as with most nurseries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No. Due to staff ratios, supervision and insurance, we do not offer this.
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.
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.
We offer the universal 15 hours free childcare over 51 weeks of the year which equates to 11 hours a week.
We described previously we do not offer term-time only attendance.
30 hours per week of free childcare is made up as follows:
For 9 months +
For Working Parents - 30 hours funding begins from Sept 2025.
For all 3-5-year-olds
15 hours of universal free childcare, which we equate to 11 hours per week over 51 weeks.
+15 hours of means-tested childcare, which we equate to an additional 11 hours a week over 51 weeks.
Please find further information here: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Yes, we will offer it. Please look our for our +15 hours funding policy soon (minimum sessions apply).
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.
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.
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.
Get in touch with our finance team
If you have any questions, please let us know, we'll be happy to chat about all things funding.
Finance Corner
Need help with invoices, payments, or anything finance-related? Our Finance section includes FAQs covering common queries, plus details on how to get in touch with our finance team for further support.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
You can set up your Direct Debit securely online here.
We recommend using the same email address as you registered your little one(s) with.
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.
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.
Yes, we are closed on all English public holidays. You will be charged for bank holidays as with most nurseries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No. Due to staff ratios, supervision and insurance, we do not offer this.
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.
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.
We offer the universal 15 hours free childcare over 51 weeks of the year which equates to 11 hours a week.
We described previously we do not offer term-time only attendance.
30 hours per week of free childcare is made up as follows:
For 9 months +
For Working Parents - 30 hours funding begins from Sept 2025.
For all 3-5-year-olds
15 hours of universal free childcare, which we equate to 11 hours per week over 51 weeks.
+15 hours of means-tested childcare, which we equate to an additional 11 hours a week over 51 weeks.
Please find further information here: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Yes, we will offer it. Please look our for our +15 hours funding policy soon (minimum sessions apply).
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.
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.
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.
Get in touch with our finance team