nursery grant for 3 year olds

[IWannaBeLikeYou]

I remember reading in various places (including some threads here on MN) that 3 year old children are entitled to 12.5 hours a week for 38 weeks a year free preschool education.
Does it apply to all children regardless of family income, nursery they attend, etc.
My DS is almost 3 years old and I would like to know if we are entitled to this and how to apply. He goes to a private nursery full-time. I know the saving will not be huge, but "every little helps".
Any of you applied recently for something like this and how does it work?
Many thanks

[exbury]

Yes you will get it - one of very few things which is not means-tested

The nursery should do it for you - you just have to sign a form to confirm you are not claiming it anywhere else and they take it off your bill. As I recall, it starts the term after they turn 3.

I can't remember the exact amount, but DS was full time and it is definitely enough to make a difference.

[whoopsfallenoveragain]

They are entitled to it the term after their 3rd Birthday my dd was 3 in January and will get the funding from after Easter. She also goes to a private nursery and they give us forms when they are eligable for the funding and just knock the funding off the monthly invoice (that's what they did for ds anyway!)

[brimfull]

thik it's worth around £8.13 a session

[IWannaBeLikeYou]

DS will be 3 in March. Does this mean he's supposed to get it from April? I haven't been given any forms ...
I should probably ask the nursery.

[TheBlonde]

Yes Children born between 1 January and 31 March (inclusive) will be eligible to a free place 1 April following their third birthday.

info

[bundle]

it's normally the term after they are 3 iykwim, so for summer children,they'd be eligible from sept

[IWannaBeLikeYou]

I shall ask the nursery manager tomorrow.
I presume they should have applied by now if we are to get this from next month ???

Thanks for all the useful info.

[bundle]

sometimes it's done in a lump iykwim, done on headcounts every week/month so you may not see the difference straight away

[dingdongjustforyoufg]

it is from the academic term after they turn 3, I get £109 a month (I think) for each of my DTs, but I believe it varies from council to council - try your local council website, some of them have the info there, contact info at least

[miabl2]

One thing to watch is that if a nursery is newly opened then they have to apply to be allowed to do it and they have to be open for 1 year before they can apply. At least that's the case up here in Scotland.