All applications and enquiries must be sent to the admissions email below 

admissions@lanterns.hants.sch.uk 

Under 2s Provision - Caterpillars

We’re delighted to share the final details of our brand-new Caterpillars Room, opening on Monday 8th September 2025! This dedicated space will welcome children from 8 months old, offering a warm, nurturing environment tailored to our youngest learners.

🕒 Opening Hours & Attendance Options

The Caterpillars Room will be open Monday to Friday, term time only (38 weeks), with two attendance patterns available:

• 7:30am – 5:30pm (10 hours per day)
• 8:00am – 4:00pm (8 hours per day)

Families will be asked to select one of these options for a minimum of 2 days per week.
Please note: 8:00am – 4:00pm places are limited and subject to availability.

💷 Funding & Fees

You can use your Early Years Entitlement to fund any hours between 7:30am and 5:30pm. Any additional hours beyond your entitlement will be charged at our under 2s rate of £11 per hour.

There is also a £6 daily charge to cover cow’s milk, meals, and snacks. Parents/carers will need to provide nappies, wipes, barrier creams, and any expressed or powdered milk.

💡 Example Costings

• Example 1:
  Child A attends 7:30am – 5:30pm, 3 days a week.
  With 30 hours of Early Years Entitlement, all nursery hours are covered.
  Cost per week: £18 (3 days x £6 for meals/snacks)

• Example 2:
  Child B attends 8:00am – 4:00pm, 4 days a week.
  Total hours = 32; 30 hours covered by entitlement, 2 hours parent-funded.
  Cost per week: £46 (2 hours x £11 + 4 days x £6)

2-3 year old provision - Bumblebees

Children are able to attend on a parent-funded basis from their 2nd birthday or if eligible for government funding. We use our Admissions policy to prioritise allocation of places.  You can put your child's name down on the waiting list by completing an application form, which can be obtained from Reception or below. 

We also have spaces for children that qualify for the Government Disadvantaged 2 year funding the term after their 2nd Birthday (this maybe due to SEND or socio-economic reasons).  Follow the links below to find out more

Childcare Funding for 2 year old 

3-4 year old provision - Butterflies

Children become eligible for 15 or 30 hours of funded education the term after their 3rd birthday.  You can put your child's name down on the waiting list by completing an application form which can be obtained from Reception or below. Places are allocated in line with our Admissions policy. 

Follow the link below to find out more

Childcare Funding 3 to 4 year olds

Parent Funded Additional Hours

If your child is attending Lanterns for their Government funded hours, you are able to apply for additional hours which are parent-funded and a funded and additional session form must be completed.  Fees are charge for additional time over and above your early years funded entitlement. 

Please make sure you complete the application form and use the links below to complete your attendance patterns. Please make sure you complete the correct form. (Under2s - Caterpillars) 

Patterns of Attendance September 2025 - Bumblebees & Butterflies

Breakfast club will run from 7.30am to 8.45am and breakfast can be provided as part of this offer.

We will be offering short days – 8.45am to 2.45pm or longer days of 8.45am to 3.45pm. This will include lunch time and you will be able to choose whether you provide a packed lunch or hot lunch.

Home from home club (our afterschool provision) will run from 3.45pm to 5pm or 6pm (5pm on a Friday) and tea can be included.

15 and 30 hours can be used at any time of day and any hours above this will be charged at our hourly rate.

A voluntary daily consumable charge will include snack twice a day, food related experiences, sun cream and other items that enhance the learning and experiences that we offer.

Charges from April

Exceptions

Attendance patterns for children who attend on an SEND hub place will be decided through liaison between parents/carers and our SENDCo. Our funding for SEND Hub places is for 15 hours. Therefore we may not be able to accommodate any hours above this. It may be appropriate for some children to attend for morning or afternoon sessions instead of day sessions. This will be decided on an individual basis taking into account parents/carers work commitments, individual needs of the child and the needs of the school cohort. Please arrange to speak to Helen our SENDCo if you have any questions.

Children who access provision at 2 years old and have involvement from a professional such as Speech and Language Therapist, Paediatrician. Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist etc. may be offered sessional attendance as mornings or afternoons. This will be decided through liaison with our SENDCo.

Children who access provision through funded places where parents/carers are currently unemployed and are eligible EYPP may be able to access attendance of 15 hours over 3 days. These hours are from 9am to 2pm. If you meet this criteria and would require this pattern of attendance please select this option in the attached form and a member of the admin team will contact you.