Admissions & Fees

How to Join Hillside Gems

1. Enquire
Get in touch by phone, email, or our website 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 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 Day
Join us for a relaxed parent and child drop in (time-slot will be shared) 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 stay-and-play session to meet their key educator, explore the space and start settling in with confidence. Parents can encourage their children to explore independently. We offer tailored settling-in periods that work best for your family.

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 £2.55 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:

£6.60 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

We accept bank transfer. Payment details will be included in your invoice.

Late Payment Policy

Payments must be made by the due date.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please speak to us as early as possible so we can support you
Late payments can incur a late fee (charged at £5 per day, every day, after the due date)

Quick Enquiries Form

Submit your interest and we will be in touch to give you more information or to answer any questions.