Admissions & Fees

How to Join Hillside Gems

1. Enquire
Get in touch by phone, email or our interest form. We’ll take your details, answer your questions and invite you for a nursery tour.

2. Visit & Discover
Come and explore our nursery spaces, meet our team and see what makes Hillside special. You’ll receive a Registration Pack with everything you need to know.

3. Register
Complete the registration form (will be emailed to you) to secure your child’s place. We’ll confirm availability and next steps.

4. Offer & Acceptance
Once a place is confirmed, you’ll receive your official offer email. Return your signed forms and we’ll plan your child’s transition and start date together.

5. Orientation Session
Join us for a relaxed parent and child drop in (lasting approx 1hour) to meet the team, learn about our routines and prepare for your child’s first day.

6. Induction Day
Your child’s first day is a gentle introduction to nursery, giving them time to meet their Key Person, explore the space and begin settling in with confidence. Parents are welcome to support their child as they explore, and when the time feels right, may choose to step away and let them enjoy the session independently. We offer a flexible, tailored settling-in period that works for your family, helping your child feel happy, secure and ready before beginning their usual nursery sessions.

Fees

We aim to keep our fees clear and transparent, so you always feel confident about how your child’s sessions are arranged

Consumables

We request a voluntary consumables contribution of 10p per hour attended to help cover items such as sun cream and snacks. These are not funded through government entitlements and are not included within the private fee.

This small contribution helps us maintain a high-quality provision while keeping fees sustainable and transparent for all families.

Hot food

At Little Waltham, hot meals are available (optional) and charged at £3.60 per meal. These will be detailed on invoices.

At The Barn and Terling, currently children are required to bring a packed lunch.

We offer government-funded early education places for eligible children including both 15 and 30 hour entitlements.

Funded hours are fully covered and can be accessed within our core session times.

Families are welcome to book additional sessions or hours where spaces are available.

For any additional hours required or for non-funded children, we charge a flat hourly rate of:

£7 per hour.

This applies across all age groups. Families are welcome to book additional sessions or hours where spaces are available.

Government funding is designed to cover childcare provision and does not include additional services, meals or extended hours.

Our fee structure reflects the high-quality care and education we provide and follows Essex County Council requirements.

Fees are paid in advance for each half-term and invoices are clear and transparent.

Payment Methods

The simplest method of payment is via the Tapestry Parent App.

A link on the Tapestry Invoice allows you to pay via your chosen method directly within the app.

We also accept:

Bank transfer
Tax Free Childcare Account

Payment details will be included on your invoice.

Admissions Documents shared with you during the enrolment process

Funding & Fees Policy

Parent Handbook

Childcare Agreement Form

My Nursery Contacts Sheet

Welcome Pack

Packed Lunch Policy

Consent Form (Digital Link)

Quick Enquiries Form

Interested in a place?

Complete this short form here

Got a question?

Fill in this Quick Enquiries form