Chesterton Playgroup
About Us: Session Times / Prices

We open five mornings and four afternoons a week, Monday to Friday. Term time only.

Chesterton Playgroup Morning Only Days
Friday 9am - 12pm.

Morning and Afternoon Day
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9am-12pm (morning session) 12pm to 3pm (afternoon session)

Children may not be left before 9am and must be collected on time. We are not insured for supervising outside these times.

Funding Criteria
Funding is available under the Government 'Ten to Two' Early Education Funding. However, this funding is subject to certain criteria/eligibility. We are happy to work with parents/carers and their Health Visitors or Children's Centers to apply for this funding if these professionals feel you will meet the criteria.

Funding entitlement for when a child turns three years old
All children are entitled the term after they turn three years of age to 15 hours a week of free education. At Chesterton Playgroup this can be utilised over five sessions, we recommend that the funding takes place over two full days and one morning session.
The pre-school staff are aware of when a child becomes eligible for funding and we will ask the parents to sign a funding form for their child stating how many hours of funding they wish to use. This is completed for each full term, three times during an academic year.
If you have any questions regarding funding please speak to a member of the pre-school staff team who would be happy to help you.
More information can be found on the Oxfordshire County council website. Please use the following link to find further information:
Click to visit the web pageFree early education for 3 - 4 year olds

Government Funded Voucher Scheme
We also accept payment of invoices through the childcare vouchers offered by the Government funded scheme. We claim these vouchers through companies such as Kiddicare. You would need to check with your workplace as to whether they are able to offer you this scheme. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

30 hour funding
You may be able to get up to 30 hours free childcare (1,140 hours per year, which you can choose how you take). Chesterton Playgroup accept 30 hour funding for children, up to a maximum of 27 hours a week due to the hours we are open.
If you’re eligible for the extra hours, you sign up online to get a code to give to your childcare provider to reserve your place. You’ll get the extra hours once the next term starts.

Eligibility
You can usually get 30 hours free childcare if you (and your partner, if you have one) are:
in work - or getting parental leave, sick leave or annual leave each earning at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week - this is £125.28 if you’re over 25. This earnings limit does not apply if you’re self-employed and started your business less than 12 months ago.

You’re not eligible if:
your child does not usually live with you, the child is your foster child, either you or your partner has a taxable income over £100,000, you’re from outside the EEA and your UK residence card says you cannot access public funds.
You can get 30 hours free childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit, tax credits, childcare vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare.

If you cannot work
You may still be eligible if your partner is working, and you get Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance.

Apply for 30 hours free childcare
You'll need your details (and your partner's, if you have one), including your:
National Insurance number and Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you’re self-employed.
You’ll get a childcare account if your application is successful. You can use it to get your code for 30 hours free childcare.

If you pay for childcare and want to use Tax-Free Childcare to get help with costs, you can also apply using this service.
It usually takes 20 minutes to apply. You may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days.
For more information please go to: Click to visit the web pageChild Care Choices

Fees from September 2023 will be £18 per session. If this is reviewed at any time parents will be notified as soon as possible. Read our full fee-increase letter.

Please note that we appreciate being told in advance about absences for holidays (or other events) but these sessions, along with time off for sickness, cannot be refunded. Playgroup apologises for any inconvenience this may cause but our sessions are staffed due to how many children are booked in and our fees are billed in accordance to this.
Chesterton Playgroup            The Village Hall            Alchester Road            Chesterton            Oxfordshire            OX26 1UN
Contact Details Julia Shillito and Claire Hall 01869 360593 (Playgroup Manager Team)

General e-mail contact admin@chestertonplaygroup.org.uk