We offer a range of funded childcare options, subject to eligibility:
- Working Families Funding – from 14 months: Eligible working families may be entitled to up to 30 hours of funded childcare. You can apply from the term after your child turns 9 months.
- 2 Year Old Funding: Eligible children may receive funded hours from the term after their second birthday. This funding is for eligible families and can only be used at one early years setting.
- 3–4 Year Old Funding: All children are entitled to 15 hours of universal funding from the term after their third birthday. Eligible families may be entitled to up to 30 hours.
Additional hours above your funded entitlement are charged at our usual rates.
Check your eligibility:
Best Start for Life – Eligibility Checker
Apply for Working Families Funding:
Apply for free childcare if you’re working
Once approved, you will receive a 30-hour code. Please provide this to us so we can claim your funding.
Snack, Consumables and Enhanced provision
At Bright Sparks we provide children with healthy snacks, enriching experiences and the resources they need to learn, explore and thrive.
Government funding is intended to provide free funded hours, but it does not cover every cost associated with meals, consumables, additional hours or optional additional activities. Essex County Council and DfE guidance require charges connected with funded hours to be voluntary and not a condition of accessing a funded place.
| Additional provision | Current charge | What it covers | Suitable Alternative if Parent Opt’s Out |
| Breakfast provision – optional | £1.50 per day | Optional breakfast for children attending Early Birds. | If a parent chooses not to pay the breakfast charge, they must provide their child with breakfast before arriving at the setting. |
| Snacks | £1.50 per session | Healthy snacks provided during sessions. | If a parent chooses not to pay the snack charge, they must provide their child with a suitable daily snack from home. This should include a suitable healthy snack such as vegetable sticks, fruit, breadsticks or crackers. Water will be available at the setting. |
| All Ages | |||||
| Additional provision | Current charge | What it covers | Suitable Alternative if Parent Opt’s Out | ||
| Consumables UNDER 3’s | Early Birds Morning Extended Morning Afternoon Full Day | 8.15 -9.00 9-00-12.00 9.00-1.00 12.00-3.45 9.00-3.45 | £0.94 £3.75 £5.00 £4.69 £8.44 | Resources, materials and ingredients used in children’s learning. | If a parent chooses not to pay the voluntary consumables contribution, they may provide their own applicable consumable items for their child. For optional celebration, cultural or special-event resources, the child will be offered an appropriate alternative experience as part of the setting’s usual provision. A parent’s decision not to contribute will not affect their child’s funded hours or access to the setting’s EYFS provision. |
| Consumables OVER 3’S | Early Birds Morning Extended Morning Afternoon Full Day | 8.15 -9.00 9-00-12.00 9.00-1.00 12.00-3.45 9.00-3.45 | £0.75 £3.00 £4.00 £3.75 £6.75 | ||
| Activities & Enrichment UNDER 3’s | Early Birds Morning Extended Morning Afternoon Full Day | 8.15 -9.00 9-00-12.00 9.00-1.00 12.00-3.45 9.00-3.45 | £0.94 £3.75 £5.00 £4.69 £8.44 | Additional experiences and enrichment opportunities. | If a parent chooses not to pay for an optional additional service, activity, event, trip or enrichment experience, their child will continue to attend their funded session and access the setting’s usual EYFS provision. An appropriate alternative activity or learning experience will be provided where the additional activity takes place during the child’s funded hours. A parent’s decision not to contribute will not affect their child’s funded hours or access to the setting. |
| Activities & Enrichment OVER 3’S | Early Birds Morning Extended Morning Afternoon Full Day | 8.15 -9.00 9-00-12.00 9.00-1.00 12.00-3.45 9.00-3.45 | £0.75 £3.00 £4.00 £3.75 £6.75 | ||
What these contributions help provide
- Little Scientists experiments and resources
- Little Chefs cooking experiences and ingredients
- Music communication and group sessions
- Arts, craft, messy and sensory play
- Outdoor and nature-based experiences
- Yoga, dough disco and other enrichment activities
- Tapestry learning journals and the technology used to capture learning
- Special events, celebrations and graduation
- Individual resources and keepsakes created as part of your child’s Bright Sparks journey
If you have any questions about the charges or what they include, please speak to a member of our Team – we’re always happy to help.