Cherry Orchard Primary School
Session Times, Fees & Funding
Session Times and Fees
Admission into our Preschool can happen throughout the year so children can join Little Cherries Preschool at any time from the term they turn 3 years old (as long as places are available). We would be delighted to arrange an appointment for you to visit us and experience what we have to offer for yourself.
Little Cherries Preschool operates for 38 weeks of the year during term-time. Our holiday club is available for children 3+ and can be booked via our holiday club booking system: Holiday Club The holiday club is run by a member of the Little Cherries staff team.
Session Times and Fees 2025/2026
Sessions Available: |
2-Year Old Fees (£7.50 per hour) |
3/4 Year Old Fees (£6 per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Day – 8:45 am to 3:15 pm (6.5 hours) | £48.75 | £39 |
| Morning -8:45 am to 11:45 am (3 hours) | £22.50 | £18 |
| Extended Morning (Morning + Lunch) – 8:45 am to 12:15 pm (3.5 hours) | £26.25 | £21 |
| Extended Afternoon (Lunch + Afternoon) – 11:45 am to 3:15 pm (3.5 hours) | £26.25 | £21 |
| Afternoon – 12:15 pm to 3:15 pm (3 hours) | £22.50 | £18 |
| Wraparound care: Breakfast Club 7:30 am – School starts | £8 | |
| Wraparound care: Early session 3:15 pm to 4:30 pm | £9 | |
| Wraparound care: Late session 3:15 pm to 6 pm | £12.50 | |
Additional hours are charged at the hourly rate. Fees are subject to an annual review.
Please note that due to the location of our pre-school within the school site, children are expected to attend for the full advertised session. We are unable to offer flexible drop-off and pick-up times.
Childcare funding
We offer funded childcare places for eligible families.
The early years entitlements are:
- 30 hours entitlement for eligible working parents of 2-year-old & 3 and 4-year-old children
- 15 hours 2-year-old funding for families in receipt of additional support
- 15 hours 3 and 4-year-old universal entitlement (from the term after their 3rd birthday)
Free Childcare for 3-4 year olds
All children aged 3 and 4 are entitled to 15 hours of Government-funded childcare, starting the term after their third birthday. Eligible families may also receive up to 30 hours of funded childcare.
At Little Cherries, each morning or afternoon session is 3 hours long, meaning the 15-hour entitlement covers five sessions per week. Children attending full days (8:45 am to 3:15 pm) can use their funded hours across these sessions, with any additional hours charged at our standard rates.
Example:
A full week (5 days x 6.5 hours) equates to 32.5 hours. If you are using the 30 hours funding, an additional 2.5 hours per week will be invoiced monthly, and charged as per the rates in the fee table above.
Extended Funding
Parents will need to apply to see if they are eligible for the extended funding: 15 hours 2-year-old additional support funding or 15 & 30 hours childcare for eligible working families. Please visit: Childcare support available | Childcare Choices, to check your eligibility.
Please note, we do not currently charge any additional fees for consumables. If your child wears nappies, parents are expected to provide nappies, wipes and sacks for changing.
Lunch at Preschool
Children can bring a packed lunch from home or hot lunches can be purchased via our catering partner Dolce. Parents will order using the online website SchoolGrid.
Pricing and log-in details will be given during registration.
Payments
Invoices are issued monthly and should be paid promptly to ensure any additional hours or services can continue.
Families can use Government-funded childcare hours, childcare voucher schemes and Tax-Free Childcare at Little Cherries. Through the Tax-Free Childcare scheme, the Government adds £2 for every £8 paid into your childcare account, helping to reduce childcare costs. Eligible families may also be able to combine this with funded childcare hours.
More information on Tax-Free Childcare | Childcare Choices. (Open the Gov.uk website).
Policies and Application Forms
Policies and application forms can be viewed below.
Please forward application forms to littlecherries@riverscofe.co.uk