How long is each session for? If she's 3 and its only for 3 hours each mornong then 5 mornings will not be too much - you can take her in late a couple of days a week.

however its up to you and if you don't mind foregoing the funding then its your choice.

that's bollocsks

bollocks even! nursery funding can be split

Speak to your LA.

As a private sector setting, obviously they can run their school as they see fit, as long as they are working within the guidelines set out by the LA.
People generally vote with their feet if they're not happy. Is this an option for you or will your child be going to this school when she starts full-time?

You cannot claim for 5 days and attend 3 - the LA will claim the money back from the setting. Stands to reason really, children can't be funded for time that they're not there.

FWIW I totally agree with you. You know your child best and if you don't feel that she's ready, then she's probably not ready. Not all children are the same

I'm fairly sure that if you book your child in for say 5 sessions a week and keep taking your child out, (unless they are sick), then the setting is entitled to ask you to pay for the sessions missed.

This is because they can be asked for the funding back from the government, (fair enough, surely?)

You can use as many or as little funding sessions as you like (or at least you can in my area).
If you want three, apply for three.

No she is 3 next month. Thank you all for your support. Will go in and ask for a meeting tomorrow. She has only recently started pre-school and I see no rush to "get her used to" a certain amount of hours in school. She is just managing on 3 mornings, is the youngest in the Kindergarden by almost a year!

I DO feel pressured here and it leaves a v bad taste in my mouth tbh....

You must judge when your dd is ready, do not allow a bursar to have control over your dd's education. He is financially motivated and knows little about education. The majority of children are not in nursery full time from the age of 1 and are happy, confident children who make smooth transitions into school. It may have been easier for ABetadad's dds as they have been institutionalised (do not mean this rudely)from a very young age and so accept rules and regulations with ease. That is not necessarily the best route for all children. They benefit from cosy home time and gradual introductions to full time education. What is this hideous rush to get our children into full time education? They will certainly be in school long enough.

If she is 3 in January then she isn't eligible for funding until after Easter.

Pre-schools do like people to take full advantage of the number of sessions they are entitled to but I don't think they should push you into it.

you don't have to use all the funding. dds nursery wanted to increase her 2 mornings to full days as the funding was there for it. i said no. end of. they can be v pushy though

This is a good website that clarifies when funding becomes available

here