Nursery Educational Funding (NEF)
BLUE BUTTERFLY MONTESSORI FEES
At Blue Butterfly Montessori, we are delighted to offer Government-funded Early Education and Childcare places for eligible children aged 9 months to 4 years. Our priority is to provide high-quality care and education, ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and flourish in our nurturing Montessori environment.
Funded hours are completely free of charge. There are no top-up fees for these sessions, and parents are not required to pay for any additional services to access their entitlement. Families can also choose to add extra hours or optional services if they wish.
Please note:
- Funded hours cover basic childcare only. Additional charges apply for Premium & Meal Services.
- If a child leaves partway through the 51-week period, the monthly funded fee will be pro-rated(see Fee Schedule).
Understanding Funded Hours
We understand that navigating funded childcare and fees can feel daunting, so we want to make it as simple as possible. Our team is here to help you find the right options for your family.
At Blue Butterfly Montessori, we are open 51 weeks a year, and fees are spread evenly across the year. This means your child’s funded hours are also spread throughout the year, rather than just during term-time. Spreading hours in this way keeps monthly fees consistent and allows your child to enjoy their full entitlement across all 12 months.
Funding Options
Parents/carers must provide eligibility codes under the working parent criteria to their chosen childcare provider to claim funding on their child’s behalf. Remember to reconfirm your Working Family Funding Eligibility Code every three months via your HMRC childcare account. Missing this step may result in losing your funding for the following term, meaning standard fees will apply for any uncovered sessions.
| Working Family Funding (15- 30 hours) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Recommended time to apply | Last date to apply | Funding Effective from |
| 15th Oct – 30th Nov | 31st Dec | 1st Jan |
| 15th Jan – 28th Feb | 31st Mar | 1st Apr |
| 15th Jun – 31st Jul | 31st Aug | 1st Sep |
| Universal funded childcare (15 hours) | |
|---|---|
| A child turning 3 between | Funded from |
| 1st Sep – 31st Dec | 1st Jan |
| 1st Jan – 31st Mar | 1st Apr |
| 1st Apr – 31st Aug | 1st Sep |
If your child is aged 3 or above and not eligible for Working Family Funding, you will still be entitled to 15 hours of Universal Funding. Please speak with your branch-specific Management Team to explore available options.
If your child is aged 9 months or above by the end of December and you believe you will be entitled to Working Family Funding from January, the deadline to apply for your Eligibility Code is 31st December 2025. To obtain or renew your code, visit GOV.UK: Check eligible free childcare or call HMRC: 0300 123 4097.
Premium Provision
The Premium Provision represents the services that make the Blue Butterfly Montessori experience truly special. It includes:
- Private Fees (for sessions beyond funded hours)
- Meals & Snacks
- Consumables
- Enrichment & Activities
Parents can choose which elements of the Premium Provision to include, tailoring their child’s experience to suit their family’s needs.
Funding & Fees Calculator
We offer an easy- to use Funding Calculator to help you estimate your weekly and/or monthly costs.
Simply enter:
a. Your child’s age
b. The number of days you require (2/3/5)
c. Whether you are eligible for 15 or up to 30 funded hours.
The calculator provides a total of your monthly fee (including funding and Premium Provision)
Please note: All calculations are for guidance only. For tailored information based on your child’s age, eligibility, and session type, please speak with your branch-specific Management Team.
Invoicing & Fees
At Blue Butterfly Montessori, we are committed to full transparency. Each monthly invoice provides a clear breakdown of:
- Private Fees – for sessions beyond funded hours
- Meals & Snacks, Consumables, and Enrichment & Activities – optional Premium Provision services
- Early Years Funding (NEF) – applied funding, spread evenly across 12 months (51-week stretch)
All charges are separated from government funding, so families can see exactly what is covered and what relates to optional services. Fees are adjusted pro-rata for starters and leavers, and may vary depending on session type, funding eligibility, or fee banding.
Blue Butterfly Montessori Fees
While the government funding is a great help towards childcare fees, it only partially covers a child’s full attendance hours and does not cover the essentials and extras that make Blue Butterfly Montessori a truly special place.
Disclaimer - Rates are subject to change. The Local Authority revises the hourly rate every April, and updates will be reflected in fees from that month onward.
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