Funding for 2 year olds

[Middlesexmummy]

Evening all ,
I wanted to let you know that my LA called me today to say my dd is entitled to 15 hours free nursery funding term time only because she is adopted . Her s will start next month as she had just turned 2. The funding was initially targeted at low income families but has been extended to cover those children adopted and looked after . All they need is a copy of the adoption certificate as proof . A relief for us as the fees are killing us! Call your LA and ask for the family information service if you want to find out more .... X

[drspouse]

It's being rolled out nationally in September. Officially we don't get it because DS was adopted from overseas but our SW says that's silly and she'll write a supporting letter, which is what she'd do for any child adopted from out of the LA.

[Middlesexmummy]

Oops sorry should have mentioned that's correct about the national roll out in Sept however our LA has agreed to begin it earlier .

[allthingswillpass]

That's really interesting.
We applied (pre AO) and were turned down!!!!
middle are you restricted on where you can send your LO to gain the funding?

[mrsballack]

We had funding agreed for our two as they are still looked after, and we haven't obtained the adoption order yet. We had to get a letter from the LA education person (no idea what the official title is)

Nurserys/ pre schools/childminders have to register for 2 year old funding places as far as I'm aware. Despite having around ten local options, only two offer the funding for two year olds where we are.

[HappySunflower]

My LA brought it in a year ago, but I was told that it would only apply to children on the system pre final adoption order (so still classed as a LAC)
Given this, I asked my health visitor to support an application a few months before my dd turned 2.
She did, and it was approved literally two weeks before the final adoption order. Friends who applied post order were turned down which I thought was awful!

[Middlesexmummy]

Morning
After speaking to my LA , I did get the feeling that they were using their discretion to decide and that not everyone was automatically entitled to it it. I would challenge your LA and ask reasons why you were turned down all willing as it would b interesting to know why . All they asked me was whether we were low income, received child benifet or family tax credits all which I replied no so not sure if that helped ....

[Angelwings11]

I think sometimes it depends upon where you live, as some counties/london boroughs are funding adopted placements and others will do this come September. We for instance got funding (and we are post AO), whereas another adopter in a neighbouring borough did not.

[bberry]

V interesting! Would it be the placement county or the county we live in do you know?

[Angelwings11]

We adopted through a VA, but gained the funded nusery place through our county bberry.

[bberry]

Thanks...x

[drspouse]

After September there shouldn't be any discretion, they should all qualify.

I got the impression that all nurseries offering free 3yo places would have to offer free 2yo places too?

[Middlesexmummy]

Yes so did we , all I need to show is her both cert and adoption order . It's great however .... Not all nurseries are obliged to honour this and I know my one doesn't offer it , I am planning to ask them to see if they can use so e discretion but otherwise the only option is to move her which I really don t want to do :(

[Middlesexmummy]

Cross post .... Oh dr spouse that's interesting what you say about nurseries

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

This sounds interesting. Does it apply in Wales as well as England?

My BIL and SIL have just adopted so I'll let them know about it. Can you explain why adopted children are entitled to this.

[drspouse]

Children who are still in foster care have experienced difficulties in their early lives which mean they will benefit from nursery, and children who are adopted don't magically erase their backgrounds from before the adoption order went through.

That's the reason in a nutshell organised.

[Middlesexmummy]

Couldn't have put it better myself drspouse

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Thanks drspouse.

[Happiestinwellybobs]

We've just had our letter to advise DD is eligible as of this week :) great news as we thought we had to wait until September for anything.

[Middlesexmummy]

That's great Happiest, we went to view another nursery as mind have told me that they definetly won't be offering it now or in the near future . It was ok but you just can't help comparing can u