New! Earlier Start Time from 7.30am

We are excited to let our Downside Preschool families know that we now offer an earlier start time of 7.30am each morning!

We understand that mornings can be a juggle, whether you are heading to work, managing school runs, or just need a little more flexibility in your routine. Our new early start option is here to support you and make mornings that bit easier.

What You Need to Know:

New Start Time:

Children can now arrive as early as 7.30am.

Regular Start Time Remains:

The usual start time of 8.45am is still available for families who don’t need the earlier option.

Minimum Session Length:

If you would like to start earlier than the usual 8:45am session time, the earliest drop off is 7:30am.

The minimum additional time you can book for an early start is 30 minutes, so the latest early drop off is 8:15am.

Please note that all children with an earlier drop off will still finish at the usual time of 11:45am, and any time added beyond funded hours will be charged accordingly.

Finish Time Stays the Same

All morning sessions, including those with an earlier start, still finish at 11.45am.

Fees:

From September 2025 the early start is charged at our fee rate of £7.90 per hour or £3.95 per half hour.

Any hours that go beyond your child’s funded entitlement will be added to your regular invoice.

Fees are due in advance weekly and still apply if your child is absent due to illness or holiday.

Our fees are reviewed annually and updated each September in line with funding rates.

How to Book:

New families filling in the registration form can simply tick the box to select which days you would like to use the early start.

Current parents, if you would like to add an early start to your child’s schedule, please message us on Tapestry and we will be happy to help.

If you have any questions about how the earlier opening could work for your family, or how it might fit with your current funded hours, just get in touch. We are always happy to chat things through.

We are pleased to now offer this additional start time as part of our morning session.