Question 1

Is opting out of nursery provided food or enrichment genuinely voluntary?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Families can choose to opt out of nursery‑provided food, consumables, or enrichment.

However, when parents choose to opt out of nursery-provided food, consumables, or enrichment, this removes systems we use to manage safeguarding, allergy control, infection control, and supervision.

The additional requirements are not financial barriers — they are safeguarding and operational controls needed to ensure children remain safe when parents choose to supply items themselves.

We also have logistical issues such as storage, purchasing and other management implications.

We are also happy to discuss special arrangements with families when there are extraordinary circumstances, please contact the nursery manager.

Question 2

Why might this policy appear to discourage families from opting out of nursery-provided food or enrichment?

Accepted Answer

The policy is not designed to prevent families from opting out. However, in a shared childcare environment, opting out introduces additional safeguarding, allergy management, supervision, and operational risks that must be carefully controlled.

The requirements associated with opting out reflect the nursery’s legal responsibility for children’s welfare while they are in our care. Where those risks cannot be managed safely or consistently, nursery-provided provision may be the most appropriate option. The intention is risk management and consistency of care, not deterrence.

Question 3

Does this create a barrier to accessing funded early education hours?

Accepted Answer

No. Funded early education hours remain free and accessible. Families are not required to purchase food, consumables, or enrichment to access funded hours.

Where parents choose alternatives, we must ensure those alternatives can be delivered safely and practicably. The requirements relate to how alternatives are managed, not to access to funding.

Question 4

If we don’t meet the opt out requirements, will our child lose their funded hours?

Accepted Answer

No. Funded hours are never withdrawn.

Where opt‑out requirements cannot be met, we may determine that nursery‑provided food, consumables, or provision is the safest option for the child.

Question 5

Why do you set conditions around parent provided food?

Accepted Answer

While families are fully capable of feeding their own children at home, the nursery remains legally responsible for children’s safety while they are in our care.

Introducing parent‑provided food into a multi‑child environment creates additional allergen, hygiene, and safeguarding risks. We therefore apply reasonable controls to ensure food can be managed safely for everyone.

Question 6

Where does DfE guidance say you can require food safety assurances, such as a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate?

Accepted Answer

DfE guidance does not prescribe how providers must manage food safety when parents supply food.

As the provider, we retain responsibility for safeguarding children. Where food is brought into a shared setting with known allergen risks, we may require reasonable assurance that food safety risks can be managed appropriately. This requirement is applied only where necessary and may be reviewed if risks cannot be adequately controlled.

Question 7

Why won’t the nursery reheat parent provided food?

Accepted Answer

We cannot verify how parent‑provided food has been prepared, stored, or transported before arriving at the nursery.

Reheating introduces additional food safety risks, so we only serve food that is safe at the point of service.

Question 8

Why do allergen restrictions sometimes change at short notice?

Accepted Answer

Allergen risk is dynamic. Children, staff, and visitors change, and new allergies can be identified at any time.

Safeguarding requires us to respond immediately to protect children and adults from serious risk, even when this means restrictions change quickly.

Our commitment to ensuring the most vulnerable children have access to funded hours can be demonstrated by our completely free 15 hours for disadvantaged two year olds with a code from the local authority.

Question 9

Why can’t the nursery store parent supplied nappies and wipes?

Accepted Answer

Due to infection control, space limitations, and safeguarding considerations, we do not store parent‑supplied consumables on site.
Our approach reflects how we manage risk consistently within this setting.

Our hygiene consumables are very fairly priced when taken as part of the package so it’s a great option without the hassle.

Question 10

Is the emergency nappies or wipes charge a hidden fee?

Accepted Answer

No. This charge only applies where a family has opted out of nursery‑provided consumables and the setting must unexpectedly supply them to meet the child’s immediate needs.

The charge reflects restocking, administration, and safeguarding responsibility, not the funded hours themselves.

Our hygiene consumables are very fairly priced when taken as part of the package so it’s a great option without the hassle.

Question 11

Why is the emergency charge a flat fee regardless of how many items are used?

Accepted Answer

The cost relates to operational handling and safeguarding responsibility, rather than per‑item usage.

A flat fee ensures clarity and avoids disputes during the nursery day.

Our hygiene consumables are very fairly priced when taken as part of the package so it’s a great option without the hassle.

Question 12

Why do some enrichment activities require additional materials or charges?

Accepted Answer

The EYFS framework sets learning outcomes but does not fund or prescribe specialist materials, workbooks, or project resources.

Some enrichment activities go beyond core EYFS delivery and require individual‑use or specialist materials. These are therefore treated as optional extras, as per the guidance from the DfE.

Question 13

If enrichment is optional, why might my child need to be collected during those sessions?

Accepted Answer

Some enrichment activities involve specialist supervision, materials, or space that cannot always be replicated safely in parallel.

Where appropriate EYFS‑compliant alternative provision cannot reasonably be delivered at the same time, temporary collection may be required. Where possible, funded entitlement hours may be offered on an alternative day, subject to availability.

It is also very difficult for our staff to have to exclude children from activities, which is why our enrichment is charged at a very low fair cost.

Question 14

Why can’t staff simply supervise children who are not taking part?

Accepted Answer

We always aim to provide inclusive provision.

However, staffing ratios, safeguarding supervision, space, and the nature of some activities mean this is not always practicable. Decisions are made case by case, based on safety and operational feasibility.

It is also very difficult for our staff to have to exclude children from activities, which is why our enrichment is charged at a very low fair cost.

Question 15

Why do you ask about income or benefits?

Accepted Answer

This information is not requested to restrict access to funded hours or to assess charges.

It helps us understand whether families may be eligible for public support (such as NHS Healthy Start) or whether waivers or subsidies may be more appropriate than opt‑out arrangements, in the child’s best interests.

Many families who are entitled to government support do not realise it or never claim it. Nationally, billions of pounds of benefits and support go unclaimed each year due to lack of awareness or the complexity of the system. Asking about income or benefits helps us identify whether families may be eligible for additional public support or whether waivers or subsidies may be more appropriate, without affecting access to funded hours or charges.

Question 16

What happens if we don’t want to share financial information?

Accepted Answer

You are not required to share this information.

However, where we cannot assess welfare or support needs, we may determine that nursery‑provided food or consumables are the safest and most appropriate option for the child.

Many families who are entitled to government support do not realise it or never claim it. Nationally, billions of pounds of benefits and support go unclaimed each year due to lack of awareness or the complexity of the system.

Asking about income or benefits helps us identify whether families may be eligible for additional public support or whether waivers or subsidies may be more appropriate, without affecting access to funded hours or charges.

Question 17

What is your lawful basis for collecting this data under GDPR?

Accepted Answer

Information is collected under our safeguarding and welfare responsibilities and processed in line with our privacy notice.
Families are welcome to review our data protection policy at any time by clicking here.(https://www.mindfulnurseries.com/privacy-policy)

Question 18

Is this policy discriminatory toward lower income, working, or single parent families?

Accepted Answer

No. Funded hours remain available to all eligible families.

We actively consider individual circumstances and explore support, waivers, or alternative arrangements where appropriate. The policy exists to protect children’s welfare, not to disadvantage families.

Many families who are entitled to government support do not realise it or never claim it. Nationally, billions of pounds of benefits and support go unclaimed each year due to lack of awareness or the complexity of the system.

Asking about income or benefits helps us identify whether families may be eligible for additional public support or whether waivers or subsidies may be more appropriate, without affecting access to funded hours or charges.

Question 19

Who is legally responsible if something goes wrong with parent provided food or materials?

Accepted Answer

The nursery remains legally responsible for children’s safety while they are in our care.

This is why we apply clear controls and may withdraw opt‑out arrangements where risks cannot be managed safely.

Question 20

Is this policy approved by the Local Authority or Ofsted?

Accepted Answer

Providers are responsible for setting their own operational policies in line with DfE guidance and EYFS safeguarding requirements.

This policy is aligned with that guidance and is subject to review through normal funding, inspection, and regulatory processes.

We are following all the advice and guidance received from the DfE, local authorities and the NDNA.

Question 21

Have you taken legal advice on this policy?

Accepted Answer

We review our policies regularly to ensure they align with statutory guidance and safeguarding duties.

We do not share details of internal advice arrangements.

Question 22

Why does your approach differ from other nurseries?

Accepted Answer

Each provider is responsible for its own safeguarding arrangements.

Our policies reflect our setting, our children, and our risk assessments.

Question 23

Is this policy simply a way to increase nursery revenue?

Accepted Answer

No. Funded early education hours remain free and accessible to all eligible families, and no family is required to purchase additional services in order to access their entitlement.

Any charges relate only to optional food, consumables, or enrichment provision, or to operational costs incurred when the nursery must step in to safeguard a child’s wellbeing (for example, if an opted-out service cannot be provided safely on a given day).

The policy is designed to meet safeguarding and operational responsibilities, not to generate additional profit.

Question 24

How can we raise concerns or make a formal complaint?

Accepted Answer

Concerns should be raised with the nursery manager in the first instance.

If unresolved, our formal complaints procedure explains further escalation routes, including contact with the local authority funding team.

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Consumable Charges FAQs

Is opting out of nursery provided food or enrichment genuinely voluntary?

Why might this policy appear to discourage families from opting out of nursery-provided food or enrichment?

Does this create a barrier to accessing funded early education hours?

If we don’t meet the opt out requirements, will our child lose their funded hours?

Why do you set conditions around parent provided food?

Where does DfE guidance say you can require food safety assurances, such as a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate?

Why won’t the nursery reheat parent provided food?

Why do allergen restrictions sometimes change at short notice?

Why can’t the nursery store parent supplied nappies and wipes?

Is the emergency nappies or wipes charge a hidden fee?

Why is the emergency charge a flat fee regardless of how many items are used?

Why do some enrichment activities require additional materials or charges?

If enrichment is optional, why might my child need to be collected during those sessions?

Why can’t staff simply supervise children who are not taking part?

Why do you ask about income or benefits?

What happens if we don’t want to share financial information?

What is your lawful basis for collecting this data under GDPR?

Is this policy discriminatory toward lower income, working, or single parent families?

Who is legally responsible if something goes wrong with parent provided food or materials?

Is this policy approved by the Local Authority or Ofsted?

Have you taken legal advice on this policy?

Why does your approach differ from other nurseries?

Is this policy simply a way to increase nursery revenue?

How can we raise concerns or make a formal complaint?

Consumables Charges Policy