Rebate for Play Group if on Income Support?

ses6jwg

lock please thanks

clairec79

I don't think so as there is no 'need' for the two year old to go to playschool if their mum is home.

I think you can get vouchers from when they are three to socialise them prior to tarting school

alwaysonthego_2

ses6jwg wrote: »

Hi all.

We have a 2 year old who is about to start a play group for 3 mornings a week for £22.50. My girlfriend is in receipt of income support, child tax credit, child benefit and housing benefit (under 18, classed as lone parent as we do not live together I live with parents, not in employment).

She was wondering if she is able to claim this back somehow? I know there are grants available but I thought they were only if the mother was in full time employment. Does anyone know? I havn't had much luck searching.

Thanks in advance.

As above poster as said.

You should check with the DWP whether your GF is a single parent as although you are living apart you could be classed as a couple for benefit purposes. The CAB could advice you further on this because if the DWP decide you are LTAHAW your GF could be investigated.

munchings-n-crunchings

Hello,

I would suggest your girlfriend have a chat with the playgroup leader or manager.
It is possible they may have a small fund that could help with assistance.

When may daughter started playgroup, I was really struggling financially, and I spoke to the playgroup just to explain my position, as I would have to cancel my child's place. They explained that in my circumstances they could help with a free place. It was not advertised that this was something they could do, and was at their discretion.

Regards
Munchie

thorsoak

Your girlfriend might well find that if she were to act as a volunteer at the Playgroup on the days that your child attends, there would be a reduction in the fees.

Of course, your girlfriend would have to undergo CRB checks etc - but as a young mother, it could well be beneficial for mum as well as toddler.

sp1987

thorsoak wrote: »

Your girlfriend might well find that if she were to act as a volunteer at the Playgroup on the days that your child attends, there would be a reduction in the fees.

Of course, your girlfriend would have to undergo CRB checks etc - but as a young mother, it could well be beneficial for mum as well as toddler.

This is an excellent idea!

It would also provide your partner with the potential for a future childcare career (you say she is under 18 so probably has not had chance having a 2 year old to get into anything else career wise yet?). Seems a shame to waste all her experience with young children! It would be lovely to get the chance to see her child interact with other children too, the sort of magic most parents have to miss due to working elsewhere.

ses6jwg

Thanks for the advice.

Yes the volunteering idea is something that we have thought about and are keen to explore.

Our daughter was a bit of an accident, certainly not a mistake, but certainly not planned!

I was in University at the time and have now completed it and moved into a career as a taxpayer, however you are right in saying that my girlfriend has has to drop out of college and I am keen to help her get back on feet and onto a career path as I am partly responsible for her having to drop out.

She doesn't really have any idea what she wants to do but as you say she is brilliant with kids and I think she needs to realise this talent a bit more.

The only thing that concerns me is that the Play Group is within a Primary school and with all the local government beauracy and health and safety rubbish these days I am afraid that they will turn her away and tell her to come back with some sort of NVQ.

welshsue

Might be worth checking with the playgroup. My little one started playgroup in May at 2 and a half years of age. I am on income support and various other benefits due to disability problems and I was given a form to fill in for an assisted place (these are limited places apparantly).
I was lucky and was awarded an assisted place which means that instead of paying £4.00 per session (2 per week), I only pay 50p per session.
If I hadn't had this reduced fee I would have struggled to send him there.

This playgroup is also attached to the school he will attend from 4yrs of age so not sure if that makes a difference.

Like I said, have a chat with the playgroup, there may be some help which they don't broadcast for fear of some losing out.

Oldernotwiser

ses6jwg wrote: »

The only thing that concerns me is that the Play Group is within a Primary school and with all the local government beauracy and health and safety rubbish these days I am afraid that they will turn her away and tell her to come back with some sort of NVQ.

Volunteers don't normally need qualifications but, even if she did, there would be no harm in her doing an NVQ as she has few other qualifications.

welshsue

Just read the bit about having an NVQ for helping in a playgroup. Before I had my second child, I helped out in the playgroup where he now attends. This was on the basis that I helped if they needed me.
I had to be crb checked but that was a simple form to fill in.

Sarahlou_2

ses6jwg wrote: »

Thanks for the advice.

Yes the volunteering idea is something that we have thought about and are keen to explore.

Our daughter was a bit of an accident, certainly not a mistake, but certainly not planned!

I was in University at the time and have now completed it and moved into a career as a taxpayer, however you are right in saying that my girlfriend has has to drop out of college and I am keen to help her get back on feet and onto a career path as I am partly responsible for her having to drop out.

She doesn't really have any idea what she wants to do but as you say she is brilliant with kids and I think she needs to realise this talent a bit more.

The only thing that concerns me is that the Play Group is within a Primary school and with all the local government beauracy and health and safety rubbish these days I am afraid that they will turn her away and tell her to come back with some sort of NVQ.

Please correct me if I'm wrong here. If the playgroup is attached to the school, isn't it free?

My DS is now in reception but he attended the school nursery 12 months previously (they can start at 3). It is classed as a Foundation Stage Unit where the nursery and reception are taught together for 40/50% of the year - Reception then "break away" (hence the nursery kids get one hell of a kick start with regards to education). He attended the nursery 9am until 3.15pm - no charge.

Maybe this is just area specific, I'm not sure? (Hence the "correct me if I'm wrong )

Good luck and can I just say what a decent, caring, loving father and OH you are.