Nursery

Nursery

Nursery at Lakenham Primary School

Is your child starting Nursery? 

Our Ofsted Outstanding Nursery has both 15 and 30 hour funded places available, with wrap around care (7.30 to 6pm). School sessions - 8.30-11.30 and 12.30-3.30, if parents are using 30 hour funded, during 2025/26 whole days require a payment for 1 hour per day to cover a finish at 3.30pm. 

The school is responsible for admissions to our Nursery for 3 and 4-year-olds. If you would like a place for Nursery, please complete the admission form and send/or bring into to the school office - office@lakenhamprimary.org.uk

Our nursery provides a home from home where your child's rights to create, play, explore, move, sing, discuss and communicate are embraced.

We focus on building strong foundations and connections by listening, communicating, investigating, sharing and collaborating with one another. 

Children start in Nursery in the term after their third birthday. There are morning and afternoon nursery sessions.

Register your interest in a place at Nursery 2026/27 by completing the online form.

From April 2026, the government has updated the rules for early education funding. Our nursery follows these rules fully.

1. Your Child’s Free Nursery Hours

All 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds

Every child aged 3 or 4 is entitled to:

• 15 hours per week of free nursery education
• Starting the term after their 3rd birthday

Working parents (3‑ and 4‑year‑olds)

Some families can get:

• Up to 30 hours per week (15 hours free + 15 hours funded)
• If both parents (or the single parent in the household) are working
• You must apply through HMRC and give us your code

Foster children

Foster carers may also be able to claim funded hours if the local authority agrees it supports the child’s care plan.

2. What “Free Hours” Really Means

Your child’s funded hours are completely free.

We will never ask you to:

• Pay to “top up” funded hours
• Pay a registration fee
• Pay a deposit for a funded‑only place
• Buy resources or materials needed for learning
• Pay for SEND support

You do not have to buy any extras to access your child’s free place.

3. Our Nursery Sessions

You can choose from the following sessions (subject to availability):

Full‑day sessions include the lunchtime period. If your child stays for lunch, you can either:

• Pay for a school meal, or
• Provide a packed lunch

4. What We Charge For (Optional Items Only)

We only charge for things that are optional or additional to your child’s free hours.

Meals and Snacks

• School lunch: charged at the usual school meal price
• Snacks from our school chef: £6 per half term
• You may provide your own snack or packed lunch instead

Consumables

These are items your child may use during the day. Parents are to provide your own items from home:

• Nappies
• Wipes
• Nappy bags
• Sun cream
• Spare clothes
• Waterproofs
• Nappy cream

Paid Extras

These are special activities that enrich our curriculum, such as:

• Trips
• Special events
• Nature school activities
• Cooking
• Specialist sessions (yoga, music, sports)

Cost: £10 per term These activities are voluntary. If you choose not to contribute, your child will still receive their funded hours and will be offered an alternative activity.

5. Additional Paid Sessions

If you need more hours than your child’s funded entitlement, you can buy extra sessions:

You will never be required to buy extra hours to secure a place.

6. Deposits

A £30 deposit is required only if you are booking paid hours. There is no deposit for funded‑only places.

Your deposit is returned when:

• Your child starts
• All fees are up to date

How We Allocate Places

We offer places on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Children taking funded‑only places are treated exactly the same as children whose families buy extra hours. 

Places will only be allocated after all forms, codes and information is provided to the school. 

If we are full, we will add your child to our waiting list.

Invoices and Payments

• Invoices are sent monthly in advance
• Payment is due within 14 days
• We accept Tax‑Free Childcare, childcare vouchers, and bank transfer
• A £10 fee will be charged for late payment
• Non‑payment affects paid hours only — never funded hours

Cancellations and Changes

• Four weeks’ notice is needed to cancel paid sessions
• Funded hours can be changed at the start of each term
• Holidays and absences are charged for paid sessions only

Late Collection 

A late collection fee of £7 applies after 3:45pm to 4pm, £20 if not picked up by 4pm.

SEND Support

We never charge for SEND support during funded hours. If your child has additional needs, please speak to our SENDCo so we can plan the right support together.

Need Help or Have Questions?

We are always happy to talk through:

• Funding
• Sessions
• Charges
• What your child needs to bring
• How to apply

Please contact the school office or speak to a member finance team.

Nursery Charging Policy - April 2026 onwards updated with DfE guidance

Nursery - Frequently Asked Questions - Admissions and Fees

Nursery Admissions Policy

Nursery Charging Policy

Nursery complaints policy

Find out about Nursery

What parents can do to help a smoother transition into school.