Unlike many other pre-schools and school nurseries, we provide care in the school holidays and are always very flexible regarding which sessions your child attends (and funded hours can be used in any amount on any day), and accept bookings from just 1 session per week. We happily welcome children from 2 years old, and we are fully equipped for changing nappies and sleeping.  Children can start at any time. Any number of funded hours accepted (subject to eligibility) plus the various employer voucher schemes (if you already signed up to one before 4 Oct 2018) and also the tax-free childcare account. For up-to-date information and applications for all childcare financial support (applicable to many children over 9 months old) please go to https://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/

If you are interested in a place for your child, please download and read our Welcome booklet Sept 2026 and then complete our form at WIllaston Pre-school’s Expression of Interest Form – Fill in form. (If you have any queries, please contact our voluntary administrator at willastonpreschool@gmail.com). Children on our waiting list are given priority when a space becomes available. Please note that our pre-school is near Crewe and not on The Wirral.

All children over 3 years old (and some 2 year olds – see below) continue to be eligible for at least 15 weekly funded hours, no matter what their family’s circumstances.

Holiday club

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5.30pm (individual drop-off and pick-up times will be arranged convenient to you)

Children can attend any hours with early/late drop-offs and early/late pick-ups available to suit you. All care provided by the same familiar faces whether out of hours or during holiday club.

Optional hot lunch available (term-time only)

Children must not be left early and should be collected on time.

Key dates

Free funding

Up to 30 hours per week of funded sessions are available for 3 and 4 year olds (which kicks in from the earliest of the 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following their 3rd birthday). All 3 and 4 year olds qualify for at least 15 hours. Please see our 30 hours letter latest  for more details.

Funded hours are also available for younger children with working parents which has increased to 30 hours since September 2025. Certain 2 year olds also continue to qualify for 15 free hours per week based on other circumstances (see here). We can help you obtain a code  – please complete our expression of interest form.

Tax-Free Childcare

Despite its name, this is basically a 20% contribution towards your childcare costs by the government (reducing our hourly fee to £4.76). You set up an online childcare account for your child and for every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay in £2 to use to pay us. See https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare for further information.

Fees

As a registered charity, we set our fees to cover our costs only.

The rates apply:

• £5.95 per hour or £4.76 with tax-free childcare
• 2 course hot lunch – £3 (click on Menus) (£1.50 for children qualifying for EYPP)
• Holiday club £5 per hour with 20% discount for siblings (including children in reception). 30% discount on both prices for children qualifying for EYPP.

There is also a small fee of 45p per session to cover the costs of snacks and other consumables used by the children (free for EYPP children).

Invoices are emailed out to parents/carers during the first week of each half-term, and must be paid by the due date. Instalment options available depending on circumstances.

Withdrawing your child from pre-school

If claiming funding, a term’s notice is required. Otherwise, a month’s notice is required.