Can someone explain to me how preschools and funding work please?

[Jojay]

Ok. This is what I know so far - please correct me if I'm wrong....

They can start preschool in the term that they turn 3 - DS will be 3 in November, so he can start in September.

We receive funding for 12.5 hrs per week of preschool, from the term after they turn 3 - in our case, January.

So my questions are these:

If DS attended a nursery for 2 full days a week (20 hrs) and the nursery was classed as a preschool, would they knock 12.5 hours off the bill, or does it have to be spread over more sessions than just 2, IYSWIM?

Can DS go to 2 preschools? My current childminder lives in a town a few miles away from where we lives and drops off to a good preschool in her town. I work part time and might like DS to attend the preschool in our village on the days that I'm not at work, so he'd do 2 sessions at one preschool, and 2/3 at the other. There's no full day childcare attached to this preschool, and no registered childminders in the village though, so it's no good for when I'm at work.

Does an OFSTED registered childminder count as preschool from a funding point of view?

How long are preschool sessions normally? Is the 12.5 hours divided into 5 x 2.5 hr sessions, or something else?

Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom - just trying to get my head round what our options are

[nappyaddict]

Yes he can go to 2 preschools but I don't think a childminder counts towards funding. I think it is a maximum of 2 sessions per day so you would get 4 sessions knocked off rather than 5 for 2 full days.

[nappyaddict]

BTW some preschools take them from 2 so he could start now if you wanted but you'd have to pay (unless you qualify for the childcare element of WT)

[Jojay]

Fab, thanks for that

[LesbianMummy1]

children get funded from term following their 3rd birthday normally is sept - Dec = January, jan-april = after easter, april - August = september and are entitled to 5 free 2.5hr sessions although you can choosed to use less these can be taken from any setting entitled to draw nursery education grant preschools it's normally 5 session am pm or a mix of these some nurseries allow you to take 2 a day as long as there is a lunch break that is paid for accreddited childminders can also draw this funding also some areas have limited funds for 2 year olds available

[Jojay]

What's an accredited childminder, and how do I find out if mine is?? Thanks

[LesbianMummy1]

accredited childminders are cm who have shown they are capable of providing a level of education sufficient to meet the nursery funding criteria contact your local childcare office often called cis (sorry can't remember national website address) your local council will know if there are any accredited cm's in your area your cm would know if she is or may know of others in area who are she may also be able to become accreddited in time for xmas which would benefit your son she may also benefit if there are not many childcare providers in your area who offer the times parents need

[LesbianMummy1]

sorry off to bed now but will check post tommorrow see if i can offer anymore advice

[Jojay]

Thanks so much for that - I'll do some more research

[nappyaddict]

Note if you send him to an LEA nursery you can only get funding for that nursery and he will have to attend all 5 sessions (usually all am or all pm - not a mix)