Help with 3 yr olds Nursery fees

HiToAll

Hi all,
Thanks for reading.
I believe that when a child is 3 we, as parents are entitled to some help with nursery costs.
What is this help, and how to I go about accessing it if eligible (is there a criteria)?
Any links to point me in the right direction would be appreciated.

Thanks

naki

With my daughter, the health visitor sorted it out for us when she came round for her 3 year old check. We get 15 hours a week for free. The health visitor contacted the nursery we wanted, and we called them to set it all up from there. It was all quite easy since the health visitor did most of the leg work, so give yours a call!

craftysarah

Hi there, every child is entitled to 15 hours of free childcare the term after they are 3. It is for 38 weeks of the year (ie school term time) although I think you can now spread that amount over the whole year if you know what I mean.

I think all the info is on the direct.gov website but your local childcare provider should be able to advise you too ie a pre-school or daycare setting.

HTH.

HiToAll

Thanks for that. Do you know if it is based on income, or if there is a limit per hour that you get free. Say for instance if nursery that we use costs £10/hour you would only get say £5/hr etc as this is the going rate for nursery places?

WestonDave

Its not related to income but there is a set amount so if your nursery etc is expensive, then you will end up having to top up the fees. Local Authority places tend to be within the price range but hard to get places, private nurseries etc tend to require a top up.

Its also paid directly to the nursery rather than paid to you to pay on to the nursery

craftysarah

Its def not related to income and I'm pretty sure nurseries are NOT allowed to charge top-up fees or charge for any extras.

craftysarah

http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/education-and-careers/early-years-and-childcare/information-and-guidance-for-parents/free-early-learning-for-3-and-4-year-olds

This is a link to the info page on the Suffolk County Council website, I'm sure your local council will have a similar page.

LunaLady

Just to note your 15 hours funding starts the term after your child turns three, so for example if her Birthday is 10th January, her funding will start after Easter.

Do you know where you would like your son/daughter to go?

ETA all children are eligible, there is no criteria apart from age.

HiToAll

LunaLady wrote: »

Just to note your 15 hours funding starts the term after your child turns three, so for example if her Birthday is 10th January, her funding will start after Easter.

Do you know where you would like your son/daughter to go?

ETA all children are eligible, there is no criteria apart from age.

Thanks, he is 3 at the end of this month, so i guess it would start at the beginning of Jan?
He will stay at the nursery he already goes 4 days a week, still four days a week just wondered how it all works now will be paid differently? or some of it at least.

LunaLady

Yes, if he is three at the end of November his funding will start in January.

Your LA will pay an hourly rate to your provider - it will be the same at all nurseries/playgroups etc. I assume your nursery will amend this from your bill.

Dont forget that funding only covers 39 weeks of the year though.

jjj1980

The nursery my Daughter goes to have already given me details of the weekly cost from January's when her 15 hours starts.

Worth asking the nursery for details of the new cost after the grant starts.

Also, I have read somewhere that the allowance is also split over 5 days so if you only have 4 days in nursery, you would get 12 hours reduction rather than 15. I'll try to find the page again.