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Consumables Charges
At Mindful Nurseries, we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment for every child. We understand that families have different preferences and circumstances when it comes to meals, hygiene consumables, and enrichment activities.
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This page is designed to explain our opt-out options, fees, and related policies clearly and transparently.
Please select the policy, your nursery location or FAQs above to learn more.​​
Addiscombe Consumables Charges
Total Bundled Charge: £8.00
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Breakdown Of Charges
Food: £6.00
Enrichment: £0.50
Hygiene Consumables: £1.50​​
Catford Consumables Charges
Total Bundled Charge: £9.32
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Breakdown Of Charges
Food: £7.32
Enrichment: £0.50
Hygiene Consumables: £1.50​​
Consumable Charges FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
DfE guidance does not prescribe how providers must manage food safety when parents supply food.
We recommend optionally for parents to complete a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate to help safeguard against food safety risks.
We provide a link to a free course to help families prepare.
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.
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 Early Learning for two year olds with a code or letter from the local authority.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We review our policies regularly to ensure they align with statutory guidance and safeguarding duties.
We do not share details of internal advice arrangements.
Each provider is responsible for its own safeguarding arrangements.
Our policies reflect our setting, our children, and our risk assessments.
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.
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.
Consumables Charges Policy
Contents
1. Policy Intent
2. Transparency & Invoicing
3. Consumables & Extras Bundle
4. Opt-out Structure and Termly Commitment ​
5. Non-Food Consumables – Parent-Supplied Option
6. Food – Parent-Provided Meals
7. Parental Competence & Food Safety Assurance
8. Welfare, Equity & Benefits Confirmation
9. Optional Enrichment Activities – Opt-out Implications
10. Management Discretion & Safeguarding Override
11. Review
1. Policy Intent
The Butterfly Patch and Mindful Nurseries are committed to ensuring that all children attending the setting receive safe, nutritionally appropriate care that supports their health, development, and welfare, in line with:
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EYFS statutory safeguarding and welfare requirements - click here.
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DfE Early Education and Childcare Statutory Guidance (effective 1 April 2025) - click here.
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Food Standards Agency allergen and food safety requirements - click here.
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DfE Nutrition guidance for children aged 1 to 5 years - click here.
Government funding covers early education delivery only. It does not include food, non-food consumables, or optional enrichment activities. The setting therefore offers these as chargeable extras, while ensuring the funded entitlement remains accessible.
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2. Transparency & Invoicing
Invoices will clearly and separately identify:
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Funded entitlement hours
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Additional paid hours (if applicable)
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Food charges
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Non-food consumables charges
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Optional activities charges
Where families choose a bundled option, the component costs will still be itemised in accordance with DfE transparency expectations.
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3. Consumables & Extras Bundle
For operational efficiency, safeguarding consistency, and child welfare, the setting offers a bundled package which includes:
a) Food provision
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All meals and snacks appropriate to the child’s booked session
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Milk and water
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Lunch is always a hot meal
b) Non-food consumables
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Nappies
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Wipes
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Nappy sacks
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Barrier creams / sun cream (where applicable)
c) Optional enrichment activities
Activities beyond core EYFS delivery (e.g. specialist sessions, visitors, themed events).
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This may also include specific materials or resources required for enrichment activities that sit outside the EYFS curriculum, including but not limited to:
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Individual workbooks or learning journals
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Craft, STEM, or project-based materials
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Activity-specific consumables required for individual use
Where materials are issued for individual use, they are provided per child, per day, and must be taken home daily.
The setting cannot store, manage, or reissue personal enrichment materials.
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4. Opt-out Structure and Termly Commitment
Parents may request to opt out of individual elements (e.g. opt in for food but not for enrichment etc.) each term.
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Requests must be submitted 10–15 working days before the start of a new term
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Mid-term changes are not normally permitted due to staffing, purchasing, and safeguarding planning
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All opt-out requests are reviewed by the management team and may require additional documentation (see below)
Opt-out requests relating to enrichment activities include acceptance of any associated material requirements and collection arrangements described in Section 9.
5. Non-Food Consumables – Parent-Supplied Option
5.1 Daily supply requirement
Where parents opt out of the consumables package:
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Parents must provide only enough nappies and wipes for that day
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All unused items must be taken home daily
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The setting cannot store personal consumables due to infection control, space, and cross-contamination risks
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Food container(s) and consumables must fit inside the child’s bag
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All items must be clearly labelled
5.2 Running out of consumables
If a child runs out of nappies or wipes during the day:
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The setting will supply nappies/wipes to ensure the child’s dignity and welfare
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A flat emergency consumables charge of £10 per day will be applied, regardless of quantity used
This charge includes administrative handling and restocking costs.
6. Food – Parent-Provided Meals
6.1 General position
Food provision is a significant safeguarding and welfare matter. For consistency, allergy control, and nutritional assurance, the setting strongly encourages families to use the setting’s food provision. Lunch is always a hot meal.
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Parents who wish to opt out must meet all requirements below.
6.2 Mandatory requirements for parent-provided food
a) Allergens & prohibited items
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No nuts or nut products, including spreads and items with unclear cross-contamination risk
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No takeaway food
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No ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as a main meal
All allergens can pose risks to children, staff, and visitors.
The setting’s restricted allergens may change at short notice, including daily, based on current needs.
b) Nutritional standards
Food must:
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Meet UK government healthy eating guidance for under-5s
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Be a balanced meal, appropriate in portion size and composition
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Be varied daily and broadly aligned with the setting’s own menu
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Food supplied must meet the early years foundation stage nutritional guidence - click here to learn more.
c) Labelling (mandatory – no exceptions)
Each meal must be supplied with a completed food label including:
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Child’s full name
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Date of preparation
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Full ingredient list
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Clear identification of all 14 allergens
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Storage instructions
Food without full labelling will not be served and will be replaced subject to the charges below.
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6.3 Temperature & reheating
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The setting will not reheat parent-provided food
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Hot food must be provided in a suitable thermal container
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Food must be at safe hot-holding temperature (≥63°C) at time of serving. Food cannot simply be reheated prior
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to providing to the nursery, this puts your child at risk.
If food is not safe to serve, the setting will either:
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Provide a meal at £8,
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Require the parent to collect, feed, and return the child (subject to operational feasibility)
7. Parental Competence & Food Safety Assurance
Due to the safeguarding risks involved, parents supplying food are recommended to (optional):
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Hold a Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety certificate, including allergen awareness (we will provide a link to a free course).
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Sign a Parent Food Safety & Allergen Responsibility Declaration
8. Welfare, Equity & Benefits Confirmation
Where a family chooses to opt out of food provision, we may invite them to discuss the decision with us. This is not a condition of accessing funded childcare or opting out of optional charges, but helps us ensure families are aware of any support that may be available.
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We encourage families to let us know if they:
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Receive NHS Healthy Start.
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Receive Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits.
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Would like support identifying any financial assistance or subsidies that may be available.
With the family's agreement, we may also invite them to complete a voluntary income and expenditure review where this could help us identify additional support or determine whether a nursery-funded fee waiver or subsidy may be available.
Any information shared will be used only to:
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Support the child's welfare.
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Help families access any financial support for which they may be eligible.
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Consider whether a nursery-funded subsidy or fee waiver may better meet the family's needs.
Choosing not to provide this information will not affect a family's entitlement to funded childcare or their ability to opt out of optional charges. However, it may limit our ability to identify and offer additional financial support.
9. Optional Enrichment Activities – Opt-out Implications
Where a family opts out of chargeable enrichment activities:
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The setting may not be able to provide parallel EYFS-equivalent provision at all times
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Enrichment activities may require specific materials, workbooks, or individual-use items that are not covered by the EYFS curriculum
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Parents opting out are responsible for providing any required materials where participation is expected
Where enrichment materials are:
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Designed for individual use, and
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Issued per day or per activity,
Parents must:
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Provide the required materials on the day
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Ensure all materials are taken home daily
The setting cannot store, manage, or reuse parent-provided enrichment materials.
Where appropriate provision cannot reasonably be delivered:
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Free entitlement hours may be offered on an alternative day, subject to availability,
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Or we will offer an alternative EYFS core activity,​
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Or on occasion the associated charge may be waived.
This will be communicated in advance wherever practicable.
10. Management Discretion & Safeguarding Override
The setting reserves the right to:
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Decline or revoke an opt-out arrangement termly in agreement with the family
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Encourage participation in food and/or consumables provision
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Where management believes that:
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A child’s welfare may be compromised
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Food safety risks cannot be adequately controlled
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Administrative or safeguarding burden becomes disproportionate
All decisions will be documented and made in the child’s best interests.
11. Review
This policy is reviewed annually and whenever DfE guidance changes.
Walton Consumables Charges
​​Total Bundled Charge: £7.76
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Breakdown Of Charges
Food: £5.64
Enrichment: £0.53
Hygiene Consumables: £1.59