We have just put our name on a waiting list with an outstanding-rated childminder for a 3 day place next year for when I return to work.
She has advised 30 funded hours will cover the cost of our place entirely in term time. If we want to pay a small daily fee for consumables we can, otherwise if we send lunch and snacks there is no extra cost. The only thing she charges for is school holidays but will spread this pro rata across this year. It works out at less than £150 a month. I am really, really surprised. To me that seems amazing for 3 days of 7:30-5:30. All the nurseries we’ve been pricing up do use the funded hours but it doesn’t impact price very much- the fees are so high to start with!