15 hours free childcare??

ManicMum

Our council will only fund 12 1/2 hours a week even though govt says entitled to 15. They have said they do not have to fund 15 if they don't wish to, so they don't. All the school nurseries offer 12 1/2 hours a week in 2 1/2 hour blocks. Is there any way you can force them to fund 15 if you place child in private nursery?

gingergee

Hi, i have had my 3 yr old funding brought forward (2yr old funding) and they let me put her in for two full days rather than every, say, morning or afternoon. I think its based on staffing levels at the nursery etc. Maybe look into 2 yr old funding?? xx

ManicMum

thanks gingergee. I understood funding for 2 year olds was only for situations such as difficulties in the home or deprived areas? Not saying you are either of these, just my understanding.

MissKitty

ManicMum wrote: »

Our council will only fund 12 1/2 hours a week even though govt says entitled to 15. They have said they do not have to fund 15 if they don't wish to, so they don't. All the school nurseries offer 12 1/2 hours a week in 2 1/2 hour blocks. Is there any way you can force them to fund 15 if you place child in private nursery?

This one is new to me, I thought everywhere provided 15hrs free funding for 3 year olds, I've never heard of a council only offering 12 1/2 hours.

It used to be 12 1/2 hours a couple of years ago then it was put up to 15hrs, there was talk of it going back down to 12 1/2 again as the government is making cuts, but as of yet this has not been done.

I know somewhere I can ask for you when I am at work tomorrow (Wednesday), I would be interested to know myself why your council isn't offering the full 15hrs.

I will let you know if I get anymore info.

flutterby_lil

Umm_jannah wrote: »

Hi,
The nursery my daughter goes to is a private one and they let my daughter do 2 full days (7 1/2 hours) each day. Best to put her name down now and tell them that you want 2 full days. Im in goodmayes.

I would check that you do get this as by law you can only claim 12.5 hours over 2 days, you have to have 3 days or more in nursery to get the full 15 hours.

My son goes to a childminder 3 days a week who is not accredited so I cannot claim the free hours with her, he also goes to a nursery 2 days a week who I get 12.5 free hours per week.

flutterby_lil

clumsy_cupcake wrote: »

thankyou, maybe i am best to call some nurseries in the area and ask if they will allow me to do this as i have friends that have only been able to do 3 hours each day

This is at nursery schools who only take grant children, it is a county council run nursery that has morning or afternoon children just there for the 15 hours a week.

Pegjes44

My son turned 3 in November 2011, he just starting in a Private Nursery this January. He goes 5 days a week and the Nursery just deducted the 15 hours free from the weekly rate. The nursery are not all the same, it's better to phone them.

ManicMum

Thanks Miss Kitty. would appreciate that. We're in Scotland so not sure if that makes a difference.

MissKitty

ManicMum wrote: »

Thanks Miss Kitty. would appreciate that. We're in Scotland so not sure if that makes a difference.

Hi there, I'm back again.

I phoned my contact in our local council today, but unfortunately he wasn't available. The person I spoke to said that each council will have their own rules but they will have to adhere to the government policies with reference to the 15 hours free funding.

I did go to a meeting a while ago when they were changing the funding from 12.5hrs to 15hrs and I think I remember it being said that if providing the extra 2.5hrs was going to have a detramental affect on a nursery, like they would loose money, couldn't afford to pay staff extra, or are unable to change the sessions due to it affecting their opening hours, that they don't have to provide the extra 2.5hrs.

My guess would be that this is why you are only being offered 12.5hrs in Scotland, in that case you wont be able to make them offer you the full 15hrs. If I was you I would ring up your local council and ask them why you don't have access to the full 15hrs and see what they say.

With regards to how many hours funding you can use a day, I have been told that you are allowed to use 12.5hrs over 2 days and 15hrs over 3 days if you want to, that is providing the nursery has the space free.

Hope this helps.

basilthebeagle

Children over 3 are indeed entitled to 15 free hours per week (i.e. if the nursery hourly charge /session charge would be greater than the allowance rate, they cannot charge a top up fee).

However, these 15 hours MUST be taken in sessions spanning over 3 days.

The literature is very clear that if only taken over 2 days, even if the hours are greater, ONLY 12.5 hours can be claimed.