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15 'free' nursery hours not free?
Comments
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could anyone explain what the criteria is in order to qualify for the free hours please
All children are eligible for 15 hours of free childcare/early years education, starting from the term after their 3rd birthday. E.g. if you're born in June 2011, you're entitled to it from September 2014.
This can be in a state-run nursery/nursery attached to a school - often in the form of either morning or afternoon sessions only for 5 days, although some are more flexible. In these cases it is, AFAIK, completely free - some places give the choice of paying extra for extra sessions, but this often depends on numbers (my local school has so many children applying to nursery, they only offer half days and even then have a waiting list).
Alternatively it can be used for private nurseries, which seem to vary greatly in how they "value" the hours - one I know offers both free sessions only (so, 2.5 hours per day) and also a much reduced day rate if you'll be there all day for the "wrap around care" (saving around £15-20 per day I think). However, I know other nurseries who reduce the fees a minimal amount and tell the parents that these free hours don't include dance/french/other specific activities, to justify the costs.0 -
I think there is a max number of hours a day too, and this has changed at least once since my DD has been at nursery. And I think you can choose whether to spread it out over more weeks (so you have a total number of free hours based on a term, but parents who use the nursery in termtime and holidays can claim fewer free hours for more weeks).
It is very confusing.:heartsmil When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with glad cries of "Me too!" be sure to cherish them. Because these weirdos are your true family.0 -
freebiequennie wrote: »If you only use the free hrs they cannot charge any extra for that time however if your child attends more than the free hrs they can deduct the funded amount from full bill.
That is true for state nurseries only.
If you attend a private nursery that costs more than the funded rate per hour then they can charge extra on top of the state funding.0
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