Ofsted Rated OUTSTANDING July 2022
Sessions, Funding and Fees
We are open Monday to Friday. We operate on a termly basis (open 38 weeks per year) and set our dates in line with Essex County Council, making our terms similar to those of local schools. Our session times are:
Morning
9.00 am to 12.00 pm
Afternoon
12.00 pm to 3.00 pm
Full Day
9.00 am to 3.00 pm
Children that attend the pre-school for a full day or for the afternoon session will need to bring a healthy packed lunch with them. Please remember we are a nut-free environment.
Our term times for the current 2025/26 Academic Year can be found here.
Admissions
You and Me Pre-School is open to every family in the community. You can add your child's name to our waiting list from birth. To enrol your child, please complete our enrolment form and return to the pre-school. Our waiting list is arranged on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the term in which the child is due to attend. If you would like to visit the pre-school or want more information please contact us on 01245 466535 or manager@youandmepreschool.co.uk.
Our waiting list is updated regularly and as soon as a place becomes available our Manager, will contact you. Please inform us of any changes to your contact details to avoid disappointment should we be unable to contact you. Places are generally offered for the beginning of each term within the academic year : September, January and April but exceptions can be made.
Session Waiting Lists
If a parent does not wish their child to begin immediately, or wishes to book additional sessions for a future term, the child will be placed on a session waiting list in the order in which those sessions were requested.
Please note that these future sessions cannot be guaranteed, as priority must be given to:
- Parents wishing for their child to start immediately, and
- Parents of children who are already attending the pre-school and wish to increase their current sessions.
We make every effort to accommodate all children. Where specific sessions are unavailable, alternative available sessions will be offered.
Funding
Depending on your child's date of birth and your family circumstances, you may be entitled to receive 15 or 30 hours funding per week for 38 weeks per year. The following offers are available in Essex and accepted by You and Me Pre-School.
Two Year Old Funding
15 hours of funded childcare, for 38 weeks per year are available for some families who receive specific Government support from the term after your child's second birthday. You must have an approved eligibility code (starting TYF881) from Essex County Council prior to starting your claim. For more information and to apply for funding, please visit www.essex.gov.uk/funded-childcare-for-2-year-olds.
15 hours of funded childcare, for 38 weeks per year are available for eligible working families from the term after your child's second birthday. From September 2025, up to 30 hours of funded childcare is available for eligible working families. Eligible families must apply to Childcare Choices and be approved the term prior to claiming the funding. For more information, to see if you qualify or to make an application please visit www.beststartinlife.gov.uk
Three and Four Year Old Funding
15 hours of funded childcare, for 38 weeks per year are available for all families in England for children aged 3 and 4 years old. This funding is available the term after your child's third birthday. There is no need to apply for these hours, simply agreed your placement with us and complete a funding form.
30 Hours Extended Funding
Up to 30 hours of funded childcare is available for eligible working families in England. Eligible families must apply to Childcare Choices and be approved the term prior to claiming the funding. For more information, to see if you qualify or to make an application please visit www.beststartinlife.gov.uk
Below are the recommended times to apply for all childcare funding. You can apply outside of these recommended dates but you might not receive your code in time. You must have a valid code by the end of the month before a new term starts.
Fees
You and Me Pre-School is a charitable, non-profit making organisation. Our fees are set by the Pre-School Committee and are reviewed annually.
We accept all forms of government funding. Any hours taken outside of a child’s funded entitlement will be charged at our standard rates:
- £21.00 per 3 hour session for 2 year olds
- £18.00 per 3 hour session for 3 and 4 year olds
Voluntary Contribution
We are committed to maintaining the highest standard of care and education for all our children, and we kindly ask parents and carers for a voluntary contribution to support the pre-school.
We currently ask for 50p per session to help cover the cost of providing a healthy snack and £1 per week to support a range of additional resources and experiences for the children.
We are mindful of the financial pressures facing families, and there is always an option to opt out of these voluntary contributions.