Our services are accessible to all children in the community. We operate a waiting list on a first come served basis. If you are interested in a place at the pre-school, please contact us for Registration Pack, and arrange a visit.
Sessions
We are open Monday to Friday 08:45 to 15:00 term time, 38 weeks per year. Our morning session runs from 08:45 to 12:00; afternoons run from 12:00 to 15:00 and all-day sessions run from 08:45 to 15:00.
We do require all children to attend for a minimum of two sessions/days per week, this enables relationships to be built and for children to understand our routines ultimately allowing them to feel safe and secure.
Joining SKIPS
We would be delighted to send you our prospectus and registration forms via email or post. Please contact us on 01732 882869 / 07860 271564 or via email info@skipspreschool.co.uk for further information or to make an appointment for a “Show Around”.
Fees and Funding
We have different rates depending on the age of a child and their funding. Our fee structure is competitive and available on request.
Forest School, Yoga, Musical Bumps, Playball, Hot Lunches and optional uniform are all chargeable extras.
For information to support you with childcare costs visit Kent County Council’s website – Help with childcare costs.
New childcare funding from April 2024
Between April 2024 to September 2025, childcare support will change. By September 2025, most working families with children under 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare.
The changes will happen in phases.
Phase
Month
The change
1
April 2024
Eligible working parents of 2 year olds can apply for 15 hours childcare support.
2
September 2024
15 hours childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children from 9 months to 3 years old.
3
September 2025
Eligible working parents of children under 5 years old, will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week.
From 12 May 2024, parents of 9 to 23-month-olds will be invited to apply for their childcare codes ahead of the September 2024 rollout.
If you are an eligible working parent, you can currently apply for 15 hours of childcare for your 9 to 35-month-old.
If you apply more than 3 months before the start of the new term, you will need to reconfirm your details before the end of the month before the start of the new term. This is to ensure you are still eligible.
Some childcare providers may offer fewer hours per week over more weeks of a year (up to 570 hours). This is known as stretched funding.
The Department for Education sets the dates for when children become eligible by age.
Here are the applicable dates for the entitlement from 9 months and 2 years and application deadlines.
Child born
Child turns 9 months
Will become eligible for free childcare
Deadline for applying
1 July to 30 November
1 April to 31 August
The start of term 1 (after summer holiday)
31 August
1 December to 31 March
1 September to 31 December
The start of term 3 (after Christmas/New Year holiday)
Some 2-year-olds can get up to 15 hours of free childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year.
Some childcare providers offer fewer hours per week over extra weeks (up to 570 hours).
This is a national childcare scheme and is for 2-year-olds who meet the government criteria. In Kent we call this scheme ‘Free for 2’.
Once you have been confirmed eligible for a free 2-year-old place, the funding will remain with your child until they take up their free 3-year old place. Even if your circumstances change.
Find out if your child is eligible:
Child born between
Will become eligible for free early education and childcare
Deadline for applying
1 January and 31 March
The start of term 5 following their second birthday (after Easter holiday)
31 March
1 April and 31 August
The start of term 1 following their second birthday (after summer holiday)
31 August
1 September and 31 December
The start of term 3 following their second birthday (after Christmas/New Year holiday)
31 December
Apply
You can apply for ‘Free for 2’ when your child reaches 1 year and 10 months. Don’t apply before then.
You cannot get free childcare until after your child turns two. Even if you apply and get a voucher.
You will need an email address to create an account.
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare each week for 38 weeks a year.
Some childcare providers may offer fewer hours per week over more weeks of a year (up to 570 hours). This is known as stretched funding.
The Department for Education sets the dates for when children become eligible by age. The dates apply to both the universal (15 hours) and extended (30 hours) entitlement. You do not need to apply for this funding, we will do it for you.
Child born between
Will become eligible for free childcare
1 January and 31 March
The start of term 5 following their third birthday (after Easter holiday)
1 April and 31 August
The start of term 1 following their third birthday (after summer holiday)
1 September and 31 December
The start of term 3 following their third birthday (after Christmas/New Year holiday)
Achieving the best for your child
Parents
Admissions
Our services are accessible to all children in the community. We operate a waiting list on a first come served basis. If you are interested in a place at the pre-school, please contact us for Registration Pack, and arrange a visit.
Sessions
We are open Monday to Friday 08:45 to 15:00 term time, 38 weeks per year. Our morning session runs from 08:45 to 12:00; afternoons run from 12:00 to 15:00 and all-day sessions run from 08:45 to 15:00.
We do require all children to attend for a minimum of two sessions/days per week, this enables relationships to be built and for children to understand our routines ultimately allowing them to feel safe and secure.
Joining SKIPS
We would be delighted to send you our prospectus and registration forms via email or post. Please contact us on 01732 882869 / 07860 271564 or via email info@skipspreschool.co.uk for further information or to make an appointment for a “Show Around”.
Fees and Funding
We have different rates depending on the age of a child and their funding. Our fee structure is competitive and available on request.
Forest School, Yoga, Musical Bumps, Playball, Hot Lunches and optional uniform are all chargeable extras.
Visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk for further information about funding.
For information to support you with childcare costs visit Kent County Council’s website – Help with childcare costs.
New childcare funding from April 2024
Between April 2024 to September 2025, childcare support will change. By September 2025, most working families with children under 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare.
The changes will happen in phases.
If you are an eligible working parent, you can currently apply for 15 hours of childcare for your 9 to 35-month-old.
If you apply more than 3 months before the start of the new term, you will need to reconfirm your details before the end of the month before the start of the new term. This is to ensure you are still eligible.
Some childcare providers may offer fewer hours per week over more weeks of a year (up to 570 hours). This is known as stretched funding.
The Department for Education sets the dates for when children become eligible by age.
Here are the applicable dates for the entitlement from 9 months and 2 years and application deadlines.
Some childcare providers offer fewer hours per week over extra weeks (up to 570 hours).
This is a national childcare scheme and is for 2-year-olds who meet the government criteria. In Kent we call this scheme ‘Free for 2’.
Once you have been confirmed eligible for a free 2-year-old place, the funding will remain with your child until they take up their free 3-year old place. Even if your circumstances change.
Find out if your child is eligible:
You cannot get free childcare until after your child turns two. Even if you apply and get a voucher.
You will need an email address to create an account.
If you think you meet the government criteria for 2-year-old funding, complete an application with Kent County Council.
Some childcare providers may offer fewer hours per week over more weeks of a year (up to 570 hours). This is known as stretched funding.
The Department for Education sets the dates for when children become eligible by age. The dates apply to both the universal (15 hours) and extended (30 hours) entitlement. You do not need to apply for this funding, we will do it for you.