Opening Times
We are a term-time only setting. Our term dates follow the Somerset Council term dates and holidays.
Our opening times are 8:45* - 4pm daily during term time and sessions offered to parents are as follows:
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9am - 12:30pm (mornings only)
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9am - 2pm (3/4 day)
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9am - 4pm (full day)
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12:30 - 4pm (afternoons only)
*please note that, by prior arrangement, we can take children for an 'Early Start' between 8:45-9am for a fee of £2.50; for all other children our start time is 9am.
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We are happy for afternoon collection times to be more flexible - e.g. to co-ordinate with school collection times. It might be possible to agree a 2:30 or 3pm collection instead subject to availability. Please discuss your requirements with a member of staff and we will do our utmost to accommodate your needs.
Fees
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Our fees are reviewed regularly (at least annually). The fees below are correct effective from 1 April 2025.
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3 & 4 year old rates
Per hour: £5.60
Morning session (9-12:30): £19.60
Afternoon session (12:30-4): £19.60
3/4 day (9-2pm): £28.00
Full day (9-4): £39.20
2 year old rates
Per hour: £6.00
Morning session (9-12:30): £21.00
Afternoon session (12:30-4): £21.00 3/4 day (9-2pm): £30.00 Full day (9-4): £42.00
A small additional charge may also apply* if children attend sessions where we run our enrichment activities (e.g. Yoga, Forest School) - please check with the setting which sessions these apply to as it can vary from term to term.
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*we do seek funding/grants to contribute towards these enrichment activities to ideally cover or at least minimise the costs to parents so the charge will vary year on year. We will advise upon enquiry/admission of any current charges.
Funded Childcare/Childcare vouchers/Tax-free childcare
There are a number of options available to parents to assist with childcare costs. The Childcare Choices website helps you to explore the options available, including Working Families Entitlement, Employer Childcare Voucher schemes, Tax-Free Childcare and many others options.
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All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours funded childcare (Universal Early Years Entitlement) for up to 38 weeks of the year from the term following their 3rd birthday. Full details can be found on the Somerset Council Help with the Cost of Childcare web page.
This page also has more information about the Working Families entitlement which applies to eligible families and provides up to 30 funded hours for 3 and 4 year olds and up to 15 funded hours for 2 year olds (increasing to 30 hours in September 2025). You can check your eligibility on the Childcare Choices website - once you receive your eligibility code, please complete our consent form and return to us in order to request a Working Families place for your child.
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Pilton Pre-school is also an approved provider if your 2 year old is eligible for Supported Families Funding for 2 year olds. Check the eligibility criteria at https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds
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We appreciate that the many and varied options can be confusing - especially for new parents - and we are happy to talk through the different schemes with you.
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