Admissions
Admissions
We welcome children into St Bees Pre-school the term they turn 2 years old, up until the age that children are to continue their learning in their Reception Year in Primary School. We will do all we can to allocate places to accommodate the needs and circumstances of individual families. Once a child’s place is confirmed we will organise and develop a “Settling in” plan with you with Key Adults to ensure that the transition from home to Pre-school is a positive experience.
Fees & Hours
For children aged 2 to 3 years:
From September 2025, children who are between 2 and 3 years old will receive 30 hours funded childcare though 2 separate schemes:
- You’re eligible for free childcare for working parents
- You and your child get extra support
You’ll get these 30 hours to use during term time only.
To apply, you will need to set up a Government Gateway account at www.gov.uk
For any further information, speak to the early years team or Family Information Service at www.cumberland.gov.uk
We are able to offer morning, afternoon or full day sessions to suit the needs of your child.
Parents can find out more information and apply for 30 hours free childcare as well as tax free childcare (for working families with children under 12 years and under 17 years if disabled) online at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Further information regarding all matters in relation to childcare and the providers available in Cumbria can be sought through Cumbria County Council’s Children Family Information Service Tel: 03457 125 737 or Email: childrens.information@cumbria.gov.uk
Further information regarding all matters in relation to childcare and the providers available in Cumbria can be sought through Cumbria County Council’s Children Family Information Service Tel: 03457 125 737 or Email: childrens.information@cumbria.gov.uk
Any additional fees can be paid by child care vouchers through your employer voucher schemes or through our payment app ScoPay.
Our current costs are:
Additional Sessions: morning session £15 (8:45am – 11:45am), afternoon session £17.50 (11:45am – 3:30pm)
Lunch: lunchtime is from 11:50am – 12:20pm. Parents have the option to book a hot meal (cost £1.80) or provide a healthy packed lunch (no nuts and no kiwi fruit).
Snack is provided during morning and afternoon sessions at an additional voluntary cost of 25p per session which will be added to your Pre-school bill. Healthy snack includes: milk, a variety of fruit, pancakes, toast, crackers & butter as well as themed food which the children may enjoy such as baking, Chinese New Year food tasting, Christmas themed food tasting.
We can offer 30 hours funded childcare for 4.5 days per week, Monday – Friday lunchtime (11:45am). The only additional cost would be the voluntary snack contribution for each session and school meal if you choose to have this option. If you wanted your child to stay all day Friday, and they had already used their 30 hour entitlement during that week, this session would be charged at £17.50.
All fees are added to your Scopay account half-termly, and must be paid promptly via the Scopay app and cleared by the end of each term. If fees aren’t paid on time, we may have to restrict the sessions that your child can attend until the fees are paid.
All sessions must be booked due to limitation of available places as well as adhering to strict adult: child ratios. All booked sessions (AM and PM) are chargeable (unless covered by funded childcare hours) whether children attend or not. This includes in the event of illness or holidays. Snack and school dinner money can be refunded.
