Early years Nursery funding

Miss_Piggy_2

Hello all :hello:

First time of posting on this foru but hoping someone can help.

My son is coming up to 3 and I , very foolishly it seems, assumed I could take my 12 and half free nursery hours as and when I wanted.

Having spoken to the nursery it seem that it only paid for :

A) 38 weeks of the year(which I expected)

and

Only during school hours (9 - 3.30pm). This I did not expect. My son currently goes 2 days a week 3-6pm as I work 4-8pm. My husband finishes work 5.30pm and collects him. My parents currently pay for this nursery as they have my son the other three days and it gives them a break. I cannot afford to pay this myself.

Is this all correct? I guess it is and that I will not benefit at all by this. yet another government "scheme" that does not assist me lol!!

Thanks for reading

Miss P
xx

BernadetteN

An early years setting which wants to provide a funded setting will usually provide 2 * 2 1/2 hour sessions per day designating its funded hours when the setting is open for longer than 5 hours a day eg a nursery open 8.30 to 16.30 would have 8.30 to 11.00 and 13.00 to 15.30 as funded. The funded hours have to be the same for all children in the nursery, as far as I believe, and a head count is done during those funded hours a few days into each term to confirm attendence during the funded hours. Unfortunately, you cannot alter hours to suit personal circumstances of every child in a nursery.

Reduced fees are also available though the tax credits system and through salary sacrifice schemes for those on higher incomes.

You could still use your 12 1/2 hours free funding for your son, just not during the times you are currently using.

Miss_Piggy_2

BernadetteN wrote: »

An early years setting which wants to provide a funded setting will usually provide 2 * 2 1/2 hour sessions per day designating its funded hours when the setting is open for longer than 5 hours a day eg a nursery open 8.30 to 16.30 would have 8.30 to 11.00 and 13.00 to 15.30 as funded. The funded hours have to be the same for all children in the nursery, as far as I believe, and a head count is done during those funded hours a few days into each term to confirm attendence during the funded hours. Unfortunately, you cannot alter hours to suit personal circumstances of every child in a nursery.

Reduced fees are also available though the tax credits system and through salary sacrifice schemes for those on higher incomes.

You could still use your 12 1/2 hours free funding for your son, just not during the times you are currently using.

Thanks for taking the time to answer.
I have tried asking to tax credits - came back with a bg fat zero. Its not even as if we are high earners .
I appreciate I can still use the hours but does not help me with childcare whilst I am at work. I personally think the rules are too strict and allows no leeway for hardworking families where mum goes out to work as Dad comes in. Sorry to winge!!!

Miss P

longforthesun

When my Ds turned 3 the private nursery he went too was able to apply for his free funded places. The way they worked it was every 3 months the nurdery received payment from the council for all the kids in funded places. I sent my son 2 days a week and although I cant remember the exact amounts i paid as usual every month and then in the 3rd month my invoice would be for very little as the rebate from the council would have been applied. I did not need to alter the hours my son went to nursery and while the funded hours were only during school term it did still help with the bills. I am in Scotland so I don't know if things are different elsewhere in the UK.

galvanizersbaby

My son and daughter both went to a private nursery full time at one point and once each child turned 3 the nursery used to give me a cheque every few months for the early years rebate.

I must admit I never really gave much thought to which hours they were at nursery timing wise but then I guess they were there 5 days a week all day.

OP it's a shame your nursery aren't able to accommodate you - perhaps you could call around some others and see if they would be able to help?

moneypanicker

I'm in England, and we were able to use the sessions to accomodate what we already had. DD was doing 2 pm's 1-6 this counted as 2 sessions a day and the funding just came off the bill - hardly had to pay anything. I guess it's just this particular nursery - i'd ring around and see if you can find something else maybe a whole pm somewhere?

DaisyFlower

Miss_Piggy wrote: »

Hello all :hello:

First time of posting on this foru but hoping someone can help.

My son is coming up to 3 and I , very foolishly it seems, assumed I could take my 12 and half free nursery hours as and when I wanted.

Having spoken to the nursery it seem that it only paid for :

A) 38 weeks of the year(which I expected)

and

Only during school hours (9 - 3.30pm). This I did not expect. My son currently goes 2 days a week 3-6pm as I work 4-8pm. My husband finishes work 5.30pm and collects him. My parents currently pay for this nursery as they have my son the other three days and it gives them a break. I cannot afford to pay this myself.

Is this all correct? I guess it is and that I will not benefit at all by this. yet another government "scheme" that does not assist me lol!!

Thanks for reading

Miss P
xx

They are correct, there are strict rules for nurseries claiming this grant and they have to comply to these.

Whilst it may seem unfair, the funding was put in place to ensure all children had the option of "early learning" - it was not a scheme to provide free childcare.

smithyjules

I agree with the last poster.the free sessions are to provide early education for all children aged 3-5. This is an incentive to enable children of all economic groups to have equal access to education. To support child development rather than parents career development.

sooty&sweep

Hi

Can't help with you over 3's nursery grant

But are you claiming child care vouchers via Busy Bees or other provider to help you with the cost of childcare ?

The childcare fees are taken fro your slary and you receive a voucher to pay your nursery but you don't pay tax or NI

Fourcandles_3

smithyjules wrote: »

...To support child development rather than parents career development.

Ouch! That was a little harsh. Many people need to work to pay the bills rather than climb a ladder.

daveyjp

Have you filled in tax credits form using all the latest info? I do regard our household income as substantial, but we still get about £50 a month from tax credits.