How do free nursery hours work?

[UnicornInDMboots]

Can someone tell me how the free nursery hours work?
Is it 15 or 30? If it's going up to 30 do we know when ?
Is everyone eligible or is it means tested? What nurseries is it in? School or private ?(I was DD to go to a school nursery?)
If there is a website just explaining it all if you can point me there that'd be great to save you having to explain!

Thanks !!!

[UnicornInDMboots]

Sorry I thought this was chat!!! How do I remove it ?

[lightcola]

Everyone is entitled to 15 hours free nursery care either at age 2 (depending on circumstances) or 3. You will need to contact local nurseries for availability so depending on how old your DC is I'd wouldn't leave it too late as there may be a waiting list for your chosen one.

It is changing to 30 hours next year (think it's sept but they keep changing their mind) but that is only if both parents work.

[lightcola]

I should also mention the 15 hours is term time only.

[TeaBelle]

It's 15 term time hours or 12 if you use them year round. The 30 hours are in the horizon but no firm date as far as I am aware

[UnicornInDMboots]

Thank you!
I've now really ballsed up and posted my question in weight loss chat not chat. I've failed at the internet today

[OddBoots]

There is a good page about the 30 hours here but basically is is England only, adults in the house have to be working a minimum of 16 hours a week each and earning under £100k pa.

Early Years settings are still wary of the idea of it for various reasons and some areas just don't have the capacity for it so don't depend on getting it.

[Choccywokky]

Are they definitely 12 hours a week if you want to use them all year round ( school holidays)

[LIZS]

It is currently 15 hours, term time only although some daycare nurseries will spread it out over the full year. From the term after 3rd birthday and in some circumstances 2nd. Most nurseries and preschools offer it , although you need to ask up front as they may only take so many on funded places. Childminders can also offer it if they meet the criteria. The increase to 30 hours hasn't yet happened.

[TeaBelle]

If your nursery opens year round they can offer them at 12 hours per week, but I don't think they have to.

[MrsLornaClausMumsnet]

Hi UnicornInDMboots,

Would you like us to move this thread to chat for you?

[UnicornInDMboots]

Ah thanks everyone especially as this is the wrong board !
I'm a SAHM so I guess that counts us out of the 30hours. Never mind . We are relocating partly to be able to afford nursery etc
This might be a really stupid question but for nursery in school do you pay?
Or does free state education start at reception age?

[Tanith]

You can also access your free hours with a childminder, so long as they are signed up to the scheme.

[Tanith]

A state school nursery is free.

[UnicornInDMboots]

MrsLornaClausMumsnet i would love you to move it for me!!!!! Thank you!!
Any chance you could also delete my failed attempt that I accidentally posted in weight loss chat as well?

[UnicornInDMboots]

Ah so my choice would be for my DD to go to the nursery in the primary we choose for her. So she can go there age 3 for free?

[Eevee77]

The 30 hours kick in until next year and applies to children 3+ whose parents work 16hours +. It is there to enable parents to work.

Some 2 year olds get 15 hours at it stands, depending on income. All 3/4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours. Some nurserys ask for a small fee towards snacks/meals depending on the hours they attend.

[Eevee77]

She will be able to start the term after her 3rd birthday. Contact the nursery ASAP because there are waiting lists in some areas

[rollonthesummer]

School nursery from 3 will be free.


I can't actually see the free 30 hours coming in at all-I think it will be quietly dropped! Or the criteria for people to be eligible will be so specific that very few people will qualify.

[Piratefairy78]

She can go there as long as they have space etc but remember just because she's at the nursery it doesn't give an automatic place to the school in reception.

[UnicornInDMboots]

Yeah I did suspect we wouldn't be able to have the free 30hours when they come as it would be enabling me to have a second child not go to work, which isn't the point I don't feel!!!!!
Well as long as she can go to a state nursery that's fine, I didn't want her going to a private one anyway as I prefer she goes to the one she is going to start school at :)

[Vanillaradio]

Nursery that is part of the school will be free. Private nursery attached to school not so much. They claim the hours so I believe will deal with the paperwork really this if you need to. Ds has just become eligible for the 15 free hours. As he was already going to nursery they just filled out a form and our fees went down accordingly without us doing anything. Bear in mind that they still charge for time in school holidays, meals and anything before or after a certain time so pick carefully if you need it to be completely free or investigate school one further.

[UnicornInDMboots]

Oh piratefairy I did NOT realise this !!!!! Thank you for telling me this !!!

[UnicornInDMboots]

Ok again thank you so much for replying even though I've been stupid posting in the wrong place.
I think our best bet is just to try and budget for DD being in childcare and us needing to pay for it all, and then anything we don't pay for is great.
I think counting on free hours (other than the 15) or state nursery places would be foolish

[WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid]

I can't actually see the free 30 hours coming in at all-I think it will be quietly dropped

I think it will be dropped too.

[LIZS]

You should be able to access 15 free hours regardless, but may not have free choice of where. Just visit a few settings and put name down on their waiting list.