Invoicing
Invoices will be raised half termly and will clearly identify billed sessions plus any additional costed items.  Fees are payable on receipt of invoice.  All bills to be settled within one week of receipt please.

Payments
Due to the fact that the Pre-school committee operates on a voluntary basis, direct bank transfers are the preferred payment method.  Payment details (bank account number, sort code etc) for the Pre-school can be found on your invoice.

The Pre-school can accept some voucher scheme payments.  Please contact the Pre-School treasurer when your child starts at the Pre-school for more information (currently Hope Gallie) .

Cheque and Cash Payments
If you prefer to pay by cheque or cash, please place into a sealed envelope with your child’s name and the invoice number clearly written on the front.  Please hand the envelope directly to a member of staff or committee member.  A receipt can be provided on request.

Cheques should be made payable to St Helens Preschool and, if possible, write a cheque guarantee card number on the back.  Please also write the name of the child that the payment relates to and the relevant invoice number.  Please note that any bank fees incurred by the pre-school due to returned cheques will be passed on to the cheque signatory.

Early Years Education Grant
Parents whose child/children are eligible for the Nursery Education Grant (i.e 3 and 4 year olds and those 2 year olds in receipt of the 2 year old funding) will be given the appropriate forms and information at the start of the term for which the child is eligible for funding as well as whenever changes are needed.

The grant currently funds 5 x 3hour sessions per week for 38 weeks per year.  As one week per year is not covered, the Pre-school closes for two weeks over the October half term.  Each session is currently funded at £11.12 for 3 & 4 year olds and £15.59 for 2 year olds.  If your child attends for less than five sessions per week then a pro rata amount of the grant is paid to the Pre-school.  If your child attends more than five sessions per week or your grant is allocated elsewhere, then you will be charged full fees for the extra sessions (currently £11.12 per session for 3 & 4 year olds and £15.59 per session for 2 year olds per session).

Invoices will only reflect the non-granted sessions.  Please note that ideally a full term’s notice is required for any reduction in booking sessions, regardless of grant status.  If you provide less than a term’s notice, we may still be able to manage the reduction and this will be confirmed to you at the time of you giving notice.

Fees Review
Fees will be reviewed annually and parents will be given a terms’ notice of any changes.

Late Collection charge
Please note that if a child is collected more than 15 minutes late, a fee of £5 per 15 minutes or part thereof will be charged, unless we are informed by telephone of a genuine emergency.

***If parents or carers experience a change in financial circumstances or have difficulties in paying an invoice, please speak to Dawn Higgs, Emma Braund or the Pre-School treasurer (Hope Gallie), as soon as possible, so that debts do not accumulate.  A payment plan can be arranged if that suits your financial situation better.  Please be assured that all discussions will be dealt with sensitively and in complete confidence***

Reviewed and updated February 2017