🌼 The Real Cost of Quality Childcare — And Why Our Nursery Gives Families So Much More

What Funding Really Covers

Funding pays for the hours. It does not properly fund:

• leadership and management

• core operational costs

• compliance with health and safety

• proper staffing conditions

• professional development

• essential consumables and waste disposal

• real resource‑rich learning environments

Parents hear a lot about “free childcare” and “funded hours,” and it’s completely understandable to assume that the government covers the full cost of a nursery place. We wish that were true. In reality, the funding nurseries receive only pays for a portion of what it takes to run a safe, nurturing, high‑quality setting — and it certainly doesn’t cover the enriched experiences we believe children deserve.

At our nursery, we’re committed to giving children far more than the basics. We want them exploring, discovering, learning, and experiencing the world in ways that spark curiosity and confidence. That’s why we invest heavily in opportunities that most nurseries simply can’t offer.

Before we share what makes our nursery so special, here’s a simple explanation of why government funding doesn’t stretch as far as families are led to believe.

💼 Why Government Funding Doesn’t Cover the Full Picture

Government funding is designed to cover care hours only. It doesn’t take into account the real costs of running a high‑quality early years setting — especially one that goes above and beyond.

Here’s what funding doesn’t fully cover:

🧭 1. Leadership and Management

• staff management

• timetabling and deployment

• employment

• managing resourcing

🧾 2. Finance and Management

• resourcing/shopping

🏠 3. Buildings Costs

• Rent, rates, utilities

🧽 4. Cleaning & Hygiene

Funding doesn’t stretch to:• daily cleaning• deep cleans• infection control• specialist nappy and sanitary waste disposal

👩‍🏫 5. Staff Pay, Holidays & Pensions

Funding contributes to wages, but it doesn’t cover:• paid holidays• sick pay• pension contributions• competitive salaries that help us retain skilled practitioners

🎓 6. Training & Professional Development

Funding doesn’t cover:• safeguarding training• first aid• SEND training• specialist courses

🎨 7. Learning Resources & Enrichment

Funding only covers the basics — not:• high‑quality toys and materials• sensory and creative resources• workshops, visitors or special activities• trips and outings

🧩 8. SEND Support

SEND funding exists, but it’s limited and rarely covers:• extra staff time• specialist equipment• tailored support• external agency meetings

🍽️ 9. Home Cooking

We are proud of our food options but funding does not cover the whole cost of:

• hot meals using locally sourced fruit and veg and raw ingredients

• in house chef

• repairs and upkeep

🌱 Our Ambitious, Nature‑Rich Curriculum

At our nursery, we want every child to feel confident, capable and excited about learning. Our curriculum is filled with meaningful experiences that help children believe in themselves and discover what they’re truly capable of.

Nature plays a huge role in how we teach. Whether we’re in the forest, at the beach, on the farm or simply outdoors, children develop resilience, curiosity and problem‑solving skills. Nature‑based learning encourages children to think for themselves, take safe risks and explore big ideas — all of which support their academic development later on.

🌟 What Makes Our Nursery Truly Special

🐄 Farm School — Learning Through Nature, Nurture and Real‑Life Experiences

Our Farm School is one of the most magical parts of nursery life. Children feed guinea pigs, collect freshly laid eggs from our hens, and watch our animals explore the grounds. They adore caring for our resident bantams and our two characterful Mini Donkeys, Jasper and Blossom.

Caring for animals teaches empathy, responsibility and kindness. Children help create habitats, learn what each animal eats and understand how to keep them safe and comfortable. These hands‑on experiences build independence, teamwork and a deep appreciation for the natural world.

🌊 Beach School — Adventure, Discovery and Learning by the Sea

Our Beach School sessions are pure magic — a blend of adventure, creativity and hands‑on learning. Beaches are ever‑changing landscapes filled with natural treasures.

Children take part in transient art, rock‑pool dipping, kite flying, digging, building and gentle environmental care like litter picking. They use all their senses — feeling sand between their toes, listening to waves and discovering patterns in shells and stones.

Beach School builds confidence, resilience and a deep connection with nature.

🌳 Forest School — Confidence, Curiosity and Childhood at Its Best

Forest School is where learning truly comes alive. Children explore, imagine and grow in the most natural way possible — climbing, balancing, den building and problem‑solving.

They might tend to animals, gather around the firepit for storytelling or cook simple foods over open flames. Supervised risky play helps children learn to assess danger and trust their abilities. Being outdoors boosts confidence, supports emotional wellbeing and encourages teamwork.

Learning becomes meaningful, memorable and full of joy.

💬 Why We’re Sharing This With You

We believe parents deserve transparency. You should know what funding does and doesn’t cover, why high‑quality childcare costs more than the funded rate and how much value your child receives at our nursery.

We’re proud of the enriched, experience‑led curriculum we offer — and we invest far more into each child than funding provides. Because your children deserve the very best start in life.