Pricing
Tender Care Price Packages
Tender Care Nurseries offer a range of days and sessions to suit parents we are also able to offer term time only fees. Please note that there are no deductions for closures, bank holidays and INSET days. The minimum number of days we take is 1 ½ days or 2 sessions. It is possible to do a combination of the two (ie. 2½ days). A full day runs from 8.00 am – 6.00 pm and session times run either 08:00 am till 1:00 pm or 1:00 pm till 6:00 pm.
Please contact the branch you are interested in directly for a quote.
Our Free Entitlement Offer
Tender Care Nurseries accepts funded childcare places for children aged 9 months to 4 years old, including both the 15-hour entitlement and the 30-hour working parent entitlement.
Funding is typically offered over 38 weeks of the year, although parents may choose to stretch their funded hours across 51 weeks by arrangement with the nursery manager.
Term-Time Funding (38 Weeks)
15 Hours Funding
Available as:
3 morning sessions per week
3 afternoon sessions per week
or a combination of morning and afternoon sessions
30 Hours Funding
Available as :
3 full days per week
Session Times
Morning Sessions: 08:00am – 01:00pm
Afternoon Sessions: 01:00pm – 06:00pm
Full Day Sessions: 08:00am – 06:00pm
Afternoon Sessions: 01:00pm – 06:00pm
Full Day Sessions: 08:00am – 06:00pm
Please note that “school hours” sessions (9:00am – 3:00pm) are not available.
Fees and Additional Charges
Full Day: £98
Half Day: £60
Additional Hours Outside Funded Hours: £9.80 per hour
Half Day: £60
Additional Hours Outside Funded Hours: £9.80 per hour
For those not eligible for funding, or those who wish to access more than their funded hours, our full fee sheet can be found here. (see sheet Canterbury Fees April 2026-March 2027 attached)
Meals and Additional Information
The nursery offers premium hot meals at a charge of £6 per lunch or tea. All snacks, nappies, and wipes are included.
If you would prefer to make alternative arrangements regarding meals, please speak to the nursery setting directly.
Help with Costs
Free Early Education
Free Early Education - Government Funding
If your child is 9 months to 5 years and you meet the criteria you may be eligiable to claim 15-30 free hours for your child. If your child is 3 or over they will receive 15 hours free early years education from the term after their 3rd birthday. For more information please go to https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/
Child Tax Credits
Child Tax Credits
You can order a claim pack over the phone by calling the tax credits helpline on 0845 300 3900. For more information on eligibility and how to claim tax credits, you can visit https://www.gov.uk/check-benefits-financial-support
Parents who Study
Parents who Study
Some parents attending college may be eligible for funding from their college or from an access fund. Please speak o your college/school/university.
Childcare Vouchers
Childcare Vouchers
If your employer operates a childcare voucher scheme, you can save National Insurance and Income Tax.
Discounts
Discounts
We offer a 10% discount for your eldest child if you have siblings that will be attending the setting. This discount also applies to any parents working in emergency services or Military.
Pricing Related Questions
The fees are set. However, there are occasions when parents/guardians can incur late charges.
What’s included in the plan?
For fee paying children all meals: breakfast, lunch, tea and snacks are provided.
Why a minimum?
Children can find it very hard and distressing to settle, when doing only one day per week.
How do I secure my place?
Once you have arranged and had your viewing we ask you to complete our application form in your own time and return to the nursery. The sooner you return your form with our registration fee, we can hold your space and begin the settling in process. [There is no charge for settling in sessions]. Should we not have the availability you will be put on our waiting list and contacted as soon as your desired days/times become vacant.
What are the session times?
Children can either have 3 morning sessions, 3 afternoon sessions, or a compilation of the two (i.e. 2 mornings & 1 afternoon or vice versa).
- Morning Sessions 8.00am – 1.00pm
- Afternoon Sessions 1.00pm – 6.00pm
What are the meal charges?
For those children doing morning sessions the meals are breakfast and lunch, for those doing afternoon it would be tea.
- Lunch: 11.30am – 12.00pm @ £6.00 per day
- Tea: 4.00pm – 4.30pm @ £6.00 per day
Can I get funding?
- 9 months – 4 year old 30 hour funding is accessible to working parents who are eligible. Those with 2 year olds whose parents are not in work may be entitled to 15 hours depending on whether they meet the criteria. Find out more>
- Free Early Years Education (EYE) is a government grant which funds all children aged 3 & 4 years old – for 15 hours per week – to have free education before they start school.
What is Free Early Education?
Some 2-year-olds in England can get free early education and childcare. You must be getting one of the following:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
- Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit and have an annual income under £16,190
- the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit
Children are also entitled to a place if:
- they’re looked after by a local council
- they have a current statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education health and care plan
- they get Disability Living Allowance
- they’ve left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order
If your child is eligible, you can start claiming after they turn 2. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is. Find out if I my child is eligible for 2 year old funding>>
You can start claiming free childcare after your child turns 3. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.
Some 3 & 4 year olds of working parents or working lone-parent may be entitled to an additional 15 hours funding, To find out if you are eligible please log on to: Best Start in Life – Best Start in Life
9 month – 2 years old funding for working parents:
You can start claiming free childcare after your child turns 9 months. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.
Some working parents or working lone-parent may be entitled to 30 hours funding, To find out if you are eligible please log on to: Best Start in Life – Best Start in Life
If you have any questions regarding funding at our nursery please contact us.
When can I claim my funding?
| Child’s Birthday | When you can claim |
| 1 January to 31 March | the beginning of term on or after 1 April |
| 1 April to 31 August | the beginning of term on or after 1 September |
| 1 September to 31 December | the beginning of term on or after 1 January |
Register for funding only space?
The same principles apply to fee paying places in the sense of providing your completed registration form, birth certificate and proof of address and red book. There is no deposit required for free entitlement spaces. If you are receiving 9 months – 4 year old 30 hours working funding or we would need the eligibility code. If you are receiving the 15 hours Early Learning funding for 2 year olds we would require your confirmation email with the 6-digit code.
What are the funding dates?
Free Early Year’s entitlement is offered for 38 weeks from April to March. These 38 weeks will be when your child attends nursery if they are doing funding only sessions. Funding dates will be provided in your welcome pack.