FAQS
How is Raised in Bristol run?
We are a CIC - or social enterprise. This means that any profit (or surplus) we may make has to be reinvested into our communities and serve our social purpose. No one is able to take any of that profit for personal gain. From March 2024 we recruited a fully non-executive board of directors, who receive no payment other than expenses for their work with Raised In, holding our executive team to account and making sure we are delivering on our social mission. You can find out more about this here.
What do our fees go towards?
Your fees go towards a range of costs such as:
Paying our dedicated team a fair wage (at least the Real Living Wage)
Paying our community partners a sustainable rent
Overheads such as utilities, statutory team training and software
Children's meals and snacks, outings and learning resources
The largest expense for RiB is staffing costs - this is almost 80% of all our outgoings. Your fees then go towards rent, which is paid to our community partners and helps ensure a sustainable future for these community spaces, children’s meals, staff training, insurance utilities and other statutory expenses (such as business rates), and improvements to the nurseries, toys and equipment.
It’s also worth noting that government funding entitlements are designed to cover the cost of delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and providing basic care. Funding doesn't cover meals, drinks, snacks, trips and any other educational resources, materials, enrichment programmes or activities.
Why are your fees increasing?
As stated in our admissions policy we review our fees annually to make sure they reflect costs such as inflation and any increases to the Real Living Wage. We usually do this at the end of the financial year, to come into effect from April. We’ll let you know when this happens and give you at least 30 days' notice of any increase.
The increase to the funding we receive from Bristol City Council to deliver funded hours has only increased by 2.4% (average) this year, which is far below the increases to costs we have seen, especially employer national insurance rises announced in the autumn Budget. A recent National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) survey indicated that on average nursery fees will rise by 10% in April due to cost increases, but thanks to very careful cost control and a thorough review of our service contracts, we’ve been able to reduce the impact to our families as much as possible.
Fee increases enable us to remain true to our fundamental principles. This includes upholding fair treatment for all stakeholders, committing to paying everyone in the team at least the Real Living Wage, maintaining support for community spaces, and delivering the very best in early years education. As a Social Enterprise, you can be assured we have no owners or shareholders taking a dividend.
What do we mean when we say ‘term’ or ‘terms’?
Although our Raised in Bristol nurseries are open all year round (for 51 weeks of the year) funding eligibility is calculated based on terms defined by Bristol City Council, which are the same as school term times. When your child is old enough to get funding, we endeavour to move children onto our applicable fee rate and/or sliding scale on the first Monday of the month after they turn the relevant age. If eligible, your funding will continue, but you will see your invoice adjust accordingly.
We’ve provided these terms below:
Autumn Term - September, October, November, December
Spring Term - January, February, March
Summer Term - April, May, June, July, August
You can find more information on the specific term dates at Bristol City Council’s website here.
Why can’t I receive funding from the day of my child's applicable birthday?
If your child has turned nine months old and is now eligible for funding, you can start using your entitlements from the term after their birthday (turning nine months old) provided you have applied for your funding code before the term prior to the term you wish to claim for has ended. For example, if your child is eligible for funding for the Summer term then you will need to apply for your funding code before the end of the Spring term (see term dates above). You’re only able to claim the entitlements from the term after they become the relevant age because this gives Bristol City Council and us as the childcare provider enough time to prepare.
My child has now turned three years old, why haven’t my fees moved over to the 24 hours of Extended Funding for three-year-olds?
This is because you are still not eligible to claim for the 24 hours of Extended Funding until the term after your child turns three. So if your child turns three in November (in the middle of the Winter term) they will be moved onto the sliding scale for 12 hours of Universal Three Year Old Funding the Monday after their third birthday but you unfortunately still won’t be eligible to claim the full 24 hours of Extended Funding until the Spring term which starts in January. This is a rule set by Bristol City Council.
Can I claim funding if my child starts nursery in the middle of a term?
Yes, you may be able to claim funding if your child is starting nursery mid-term (and you’re eligible to receive funding for that term). But, If you're starting part way through a term you will need to have secured your funding code before the start of that term otherwise you will not be eligible for funding for that term. We advise you to do this as early as possible to avoid missing out on funding for your child. Please visit the government website for the deadlines for applying here.
Who is eligible for fully funded spaces?
Anyone can request a fully funded space, and we offer some fully funded places at no cost to families for children in receipt of the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP). These places are limited and subject to availability. We can claim EYPP on your behalf, but you need to let our Admissions team know if you’re eligible. To find out more visit the Government website here.
Will you still be accepting Tax-Free Childcare vouchers alongside funding?
Yes, we accept Tax-Free Childcare vouchers at Raised in Bristol alongside funding.
If you need more information about tax-free childcare and how it works you can find out more here.
Do you allow split funding with another nursery?
Yes, you can split your funding with another nursery provider in instances where your child may be attending two settings. Our other terms and conditions, including our minimum booking pattern of 20 hours, apply. Please ask our Admissions team more about this when you enquire.
My child is eligible for 15 hours of funding, why can I only claim 12 hours?
Although our Raised in Bristol nurseries are open all year round (for 51 weeks of the year) funding eligibility is calculated based on terms defined by Bristol City Council, which are the same as school term times.
The ‘15 hours’ are calculated for term-time-only nurseries that run 47.5 weeks of the year. Raised In Bristol nurseries run all year round, which means we stretch the funding over the 51 weeks of the year, entitling you to 12 hours of funding per week. Please see our Admissions Policy and the Fees and Funding page for more info.
My child is eligible for 30 hours of funding, why can I only claim 24 hours?
Although our Raised in Bristol nurseries are open all year round (for 51 weeks of the year) funding eligibility is calculated based on terms defined by Bristol City Council, which are the same as school term times.
The ‘30 hours’ are calculated for term-time-only nurseries that run 47.5 weeks of the year. Raised In Bristol nurseries run all year round, which means we stretch the funding over the 51 weeks of the year, entitling you to 24 hours of funding per week. Please see our Admissions Policy and the Fees and Funding page for more info.
Have the recent changes to legal staffing ratios had an impact on fees?
We are a CIC - or social enterprise. This means that any profit (or surplus) we may make has to be reinvested into our communities and serve our social purpose. No one is able to take any of that profit for personal gain. From March 2024 we recruited a fully non-executive board of directors, who receive no payment other than expenses for their work with Raised In, holding our executive team to account and making sure we are delivering on our social mission. You can find out more about this here.
Does Raised in Bristol have any other sources of income?
Currently, the only income Raised in Bristol has is nursery fees and funding provided for eligible children from Bristol City Council. We’re always on the lookout for additional grant funding to help improve the nurseries or to allow us to do special projects.
Do you offer flexible sessions outside of the set full day or half-day sessions?
No, we only offer half-day sessions: morning sessions from 8 am-1 pm, afternoon sessions from 1 pm-6 pm and full day sessions from 8 am–6 pm Monday to Friday. We don’t offer sessions outside of these set times. Sometimes, it may be possible to drop your child off at the nursery later than the session start time and collect them earlier than the session end time, but this must be arranged with the nursery team. Please note if you come to collect your child after their session has ended you may incur Late collection fees.
Please contact the nursery team if you know you are going to be late. If you are regularly late in collecting your child after their session has ended, we will issue a late collection form and charge you £1 per minute in addition to your monthly bill.
What will happen in September when more funding is available?
We remain committed to accepting all government funding entitlements for children from 9 months old when this expands in September. We’re currently reviewing our fee structure to ensure that this can provide the maximum benefit possible to parents while ensuring that Raised In remains sustainable for our families and community partners and will provide more information in due course. We remain committed to only increasing our fees once per year, and any change will not lead to families paying more than they will from April 2025.
Why is my invoice higher some months?
This is because some months are four weeks long and some weeks are five weeks long so this will be reflected on your invoice.
Can I change my child’s start date?
Yes, you can change/ delay your child’s start date, but as stated in our Admissions Policy we ask for at least 12 weeks’ notice. We’re not able to delay start dates with less than 12 weeks’ notice due to the nature of arranging ‘Settling in Sessions’ and ensuring appropriate staffing levels. We may be able to move your child’s start date forward with less notice, depending on availability.
Why do I need to pay a registration fee?
This covers the administration cost of processing your child's application and enrollment. If a space is not immediately available it will gain you access to the waiting list and helps to cover the cost of the management of this (this does not guarantee a space will become available). If you are accessing a fully funded place you do not need to pay a registration fee.
When do I pay the registration fee?
If you would like to proceed with securing a space following your tour, we’ll send you an invoice to pay the registration fee along with your registration form. The registration fee will need to be paid before we can process your registration form. Please note you will need to also pay your deposit before we can guarantee your child’s nursery place.
Are the registration fee and deposit different?
Yes they’re different. The registration fee is a non-refundable charge to cover the administration costs associated with enrolling your child or gaining access to the waiting list. The deposit secures your child's place at our nursery and is refundable when you leave nursery, providing there is no debt on your account. Once we’ve received your deposit we will honour our commitment to you and reserve your child’s nursery place as well as securing your booking pattern. Your deposit is held on your account to be refunded to you once your child has left our setting and all final invoices have been paid. If you’re accessing a fully funded place you won’t be charged a registration fee or a deposit.