Nursery fees
It can be daunting for parents navigating funded childcare and fees. Let’s help you find the right options for your family.
Is either parent or carer a member of staff at University of Birmingham?
Fees
Children get the best possible care from our qualified, knowledgeable staff at our three day nurseries. We serve families living locally as well as families of University of Birmingham staff.
Booking pattern
Full price fees
Universal Funding rate
Working Parent Entitlement rate
Full time
£1,453.50
£1,130.50
£807.50
4 full days
£1,292.00
£969.00
£646.00
3 full days
£969.00
£646.00
£323.00
2 full days
£646.00
£323.00
N/A
Things you need to know
- Fees include care and education by knowledgeable and qualified staff, all meals, snacks, drinks, trips and activities (but not nappies and wipes). Optional activities will include an additional charge.
- Government-funded hours apply to term time only. We allow families to stretch their hours over 51 weeks of the year, making it more affordable for you and fairer for us. We don’t offer term time-only places.
- For example, 15 hours ‘stretched’ would be up to 11.4 hours per week. 30 hours ‘stretched’ would be up to 22.8 hours per week
- Children must attend a minimum of 2 days a week, or three if you’re claiming your full 30 hours entitlement
- Any extra days are charged at £76 per day. Please note that funding is not applicable for extra casual days.
- Please be aware that if you use any of your funding entitlement elsewhere then reduced fees may not apply at Birmingham Day Nurseries.
- With the exception of your first month’s payment, fees are annualised and billed monthly in advance. For more details, read our full terms and conditions.
- All parents will receive a personalised fee summary sheet for the funding year, along with a parent declaration form.
Find out what childcare funds you’re entitled to
Whether you are an existing family or beginning your journey with us, there are a few different ways available for parents to help fund your childcare.
If you find it difficult to navigate the funding for childcare, we’re here to help. Please contact our office and we’ll advise you as best we can.
15 hours childcare support
Available to all 3 and 4 year olds who live in England, irrespective of income levels, benefit status, or family circumstances.
Some 2 year olds whose families are in receipt of additional support will also be eligible.
30 hours childcare support
If you live and work in England you may be entitled to 30 hours’ funded childcare support from the term after your child turns 9 months old, until they start school.
Tax-free childcare
Families of children under 12 who are also employed may also be able to take advantage of tax-free childcare worth up to £2,000 per child a year.
Ready to register?
We’re so glad you’ve chosen University of Birmingham Day Nurseries.
Here are your next steps:
- Fill in our enquiry form
- We’ll invite you for a visit and you’ll fill out an application form
- Once your space is confirmed, we’ll send you a payment link. Registration costs £60.You will also need to pay a £250 deposit to secure your child’s place; both payments are required to process the application. The deposit fee of £250 will be refunded to you as a deduction from your first month’s nursery invoice. Unfortunately, if you later choose not to take up the allocated place, then this fee is non-refundable.
- Check if you are eligible for childcare support
Payments into the Tax-Tree Childcare (TFC) account can be made by direct debit, standing order or bank transfer. Payments cannot be made by credit card. Money deposited in the childcare account, along with any Government top-up, should be visible straightaway, however it takes one working day for the funds to be available to release against your nursery fees. You will then need transfer the funds to your chosen provider. You can do this manually each month to release the payment or alternatively set up an automatic monthly payment to us.
As TFC and Working Parent Entitlement criteria are the same, parents who setup up their TFC before the term their child turns nine months old, should see their WPE code automatically generated when they log in.
- Final steps, if you’re eligible for Government childcare support:
For 30 or 15 hours childcare support
- Each term you’ll receive a Parent Declaration form and Fee Summary sheet with a request for your proof of address. This will be given to you by the nursery team.
- You are also required to bring into nursery a copy of your child’s birth certificate, NHS number (red book) as well as proof of your address.
For Tax Free Childcare
You will also be sent a unique TFC reference number. When it is generated, please email us with the details so that we can share them with the finance team and support account matching. Email the TFC code to [email protected], and include your child’s nursery, full name and playroom.
You must confirm your details are up to date every three months by logging into your childcare account. Please remember to do this even if your details have not changed. You should receive an email prompt to do this.
We are here to help you! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to come and speak to us in the nursery office and we will do our best to help.
Paying your nursery fees: frequently asked questions
What are my payment options?
Here are the ways you can pay your nursery fees.
Online
Make payment directly to us in our online payment portal
Bank transfer
Pay by bank transfer to the bank details shown at the bottom of your invoice. Make payment in Pound Sterling (GBP).
Quote your customer number or invoice number as the payment reference.
Tax-Free Childcare account
To pay fees using your Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) account, let the nursery know what your Tax-Free Childcare reference is. This allows us to identify your payments when they are made to us.
- Your TFC code will be in the form of four letters and five numbers – for example, ABCD12345.
- Email this reference to [email protected], and include your child’s nursery, full name and playroom.
Find out how to open a Tax-Free Childcare account at Tax-Free Childcare – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Childcare vouchers
Childcare vouchers are being phased out. Find out more at Help paying for childcare: Childcare vouchers and other employer schemes – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you have a query about paying with childcare vouchers, contact [email protected].
What happens to my nursery deposit?
If you’re paying monthly by invoice
The £250.00 deposit for your Nursery place will be held on your unique Nursery customer account with the University. This will be shown as a deduction on your first invoice.
If you’re a University of Birmingham staff member paying monthly by Salary Sacrifice
The £250.00 deposit will be accounted for in your salary sacrifice calculations.
What is my nursery account balance?
You can request an account statement any time by emailing [email protected].
Common invoice questions
What charges does my nursery invoice include?
You are billed in advance for your usual sessions, and in arrears for any extras such as dance, yoga or casual sessions.
- Example: You will receive an invoice at the start of January for all your sessions in January, and your extras incurred in December.
Your bills are annualised – so the bill is for the same amount each month, apart from any extra charges.
When you receive your invoice, any funding you receive has already been removed from it. The figure you see is the net amount that you need to pay each month.
How is my funding entitlement applied to my bill?
You’ll get a fee summary sheet for the funding year. If you’re eligible for funding, this will detail your free hours and what you will need to pay.
Can I get a further breakdown of my charges?
Your invoice shows the usage for the month, any extras charged for, and the total. For an additional breakdown, refer to your fee summary sheet – or request this from the nursery office at [email protected].
I pay my fees by salary sacrifice. Why have I received an invoice?
Salary sacrifice is for a fixed annual amount, so it cannot include any extra charges which you incur throughout the year. Any invoice that you receive will be for those specific charges only.
- You can pay these through our Payment Portal.
- You can’t add these ad hoc charges to your fixed Salary Sacrifice payment.
What is the charge for Bank Holidays and University closed days?
What happens if I don't pay my nursery fees?
The University’s Finance team provides regular balance updates to Nursery staff. If you do not make payments when requested, your nursery place will be withdrawn. Unpaid charges will be referred to the University’s solicitors for collection through the courts, incurring interest and charges which you will be liable for.
Where can I find my Terms and Conditions?
Your nursery contract contains your full terms and conditions. You can also view this here: Terms and conditions · University of Birmingham Day Nurseries (bham.ac.uk).
Contact us
For payment queries, email the Finance team at [email protected].
For anything else related to the Nursery service, contact the Nursery office at [email protected].
Enquiring about a nursery place for your child is simple
Submit an enquiry online today. It’s a quick, easy process and you’ll receive a response from us very soon.