Mumsnet Talk

My daughter is 3 and gets her free 15 hours for 38 weeks in a private nursery. She'll only just be 4 by the time her reception year starts next September, and I think she's too young for full-time school. I asked her nursery teachers if she could stay for a second year (the nursery takes 0-5 year olds) on the 15 hour basis and was told that we would have to pay, since she will be reception age and therefore in full time school education anyway. Directgov, however, says the early education grant is valid until the term after the child's 5th birthday, not their 4th. Wouldn't that be binding for any nursery, i.e. won't they have to take her on for free? Has anyone here had any experience with 4 year olds who don't attend reception class? I'm not worried about her missing out, she's perfectly well cared for in nursery and learns a lot. Just don't want to be ripped off. Much appreciated, thanks.

You do not have to send her to school until year one if that is what you choose to do. if you do send her to reception and nursery then you would have to pay for the nursery place. However, if you choose not to send your d to reception then you do not have to pay for the nursery place at all. We have 4 children who opted out of reception for the same reason you mentioned and they get their 15 hours free still. hope that makes sense

Ah, great! She will definitely not go to reception, and nursery know that. It's just about the money, which we can ill afford to pay (especially if she'd go to reception for free!). I was sure the grant was for 4 year olds as well, and feel much better after getting some confirmation. Thanks! I'll just refuse to pay :p

They can't do both in the same term, but AFAIK you can still claim the nursery grant for a 4 year old who isn't starting school until January or April.

But, unless you want her to go straight into Year 1, have a particularly flexible LEA, or are sending her to private school, you should still apply for her place for September and then defer it to either January or April. In fact if she'll be 4 before 31 Aug 12 then you probably should have already applied . . .

But the nursery may not have a place for her. They will have younger children waiting to move up. The nursery don't have to take her if they don't want to.

They'll gladly take her, that's all sorted. I haven't applied for reception year, will apply straight for year 1. It's not particularly busy here, mainly because we're not in London

It's not just London that has a huge peak in numbers - it's National. I really would check (although guess you are too late to apply for a Reception place of choice now). Once the school is full of Reception children, someone would have to leave for there to be a space available in Yr1.

I know. I guess a part of me wants to homeschool, so I'm taking my chances... Thanks guys x