Free education for adopted two year olds from September 2014.

[Inthebeginning]

Just trying to look at what money we will need for childcare if I decide to go back to work after having the lo and I keep seeing comments to this but then it says if they are "looked after children" is this what an adopted child is classed as?

[Hulababy]

LAC include adopted and fostered children, and those in case/residential homes.

[Inthebeginning]

Ah that's fab thank you hula . Does that last as long as they're classed as children or young people?

[MrsBW]

Hi... Can you explain more about this/provide a link please?

[Vatta]

Hi, I think it includes adopted children if they've been in foster care / a home before being adopted, but not if they were adopted immediately on birth? Not sure of the details though.

Try the British association for adoption and fostering?

[Inthebeginning]

link with a tiny bit of info

[Inthebeginning]

Argh posted too soon. MrsBW this is the most I could find, good idea vatta I'll have a look on their now

[Lilka]

It will apply to any child adopted from the care system - because you can't place a baby straight for adoption at birth, they need to be in a foster or at least a concurrent home first, only children adopted by their step parents, adopted internationally or adopted following some kind of private fostering arrangement would be excluded from this. Same as school admissions priority. If you adopted your child from the UK care system, they qualify.

[Choccyjules]

Thanks for the link, I wasn't aware of this.

(Of course the adoption passport has just thrown me into disarray - my one issue with us choosing the LA over the VA is that the VA guarantees support whereas the LA can always claim lack of funds...and we are sending our application form tomorrow!)

[scarlet5tyger]

Very interesting, thanks. Except that as a foster carer I've not yet had a 2 year old with a SW willing to agree to them going to nursery! And I've had plenty of 2 year olds! I think I've heard every excuse in the book, from needing to bond with me as primary carer (the child had been with me since 14 months and was very well attached) to the impact a nursery placement would have on contact with birth parents... What happened to the needs of the child coming first??

I know plenty of children are not ready for nursery, but hopefully this might change something for those children that are.

[ColdfeetPinksocks]

They're talking about this over in AIBU. Prepare to be judged (common perception seems to be that it's for children of bad parents and benefit scroungers...) but someone did at least provide a handy link.

Looks like from Sept 2013 it's LAC, and from Sept 2014 it's expanding to include adopted/SGO kids.

www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/earlylearningandchildcare/delivery/free%20entitlement%20to%20early%20education/b0070114/eefortwoyearolds

[Inthebeginning]

Thanks for the link cold that explains it well.
Don't know if I'm brave enough to go across to aibu!

[Mum2lots]

What's aibu ? Please

[bsc]

Am I Being Unreasonable?

But I don't know which thread you mean!

[bsc]

And adopted children are no longer LAC! I think they will be eligible for preferential treatment in school admissions, but LAC means those specifically on a care order currently, and once the adoption process is completed, adopted children are not LAC.

[Inthebeginning]

Bsc, as of septemberb2014 it is extended to children who have been adopted too as they are seen to fit into the same group of vulnerability as the others. Next yr parents who are in a certain pay bracket just above the one for now will also be eligible.

aibu thread about it

[bsc]

Ah- the old canard of education being childcare?
Funnily enough, I decided to skip that thread!

[morethanpotatoprints]

Hello,
I just wanted to say I think its a fantastic idea and may offer the children who really need to socialise with others a good opportunity.
I also saw the thread in AIBU and would add there is another one unfortunately in too few school places.
There seem to be a few atm.
Love to all you adoptive and foster parents, You are fantastic people and need respect, just wanted to say that. x

[nocoolusernameY0]

"Very interesting, thanks. Except that as a foster carer I've not yet had a 2 year old with a SW willing to agree to them going to nursery! And I've had plenty of 2 year olds! I think I've heard every excuse in the book, from needing to bond with me as primary carer (the child had been with me since 14 months and was very well attached) to the impact a nursery placement would have on contact with birth parents... What happened to the needs of the child coming first??

I know plenty of children are not ready for nursery, but hopefully this might change something for those children that are."

Am I missing something here? It seems highly unlikely that a securely attached 2 year old's best interests would be served by being separated from their primary caregiver. I think that the Social Worker WAS putting the child first.