Can I do this - preschool related?

[preschoolhelp]

I have recently enquired at our local school's preschool, where I would like DS to go. As part of their admissions, you have to give them your 15 hours, regardless of how many sessions that your child will actually attend.

However, my DS also goes to nursery on the 2 days that I work. I am entitled to 30 hours, so in theory I will have enough for both settings. The problem is, my child will then 'officially' be in 2 settings at the same time on the days that I work and so I would be claiming for hours for both settings on the same days.

AIBU to do this? Does anybody check what days they are in settings? I am worried that I would be in trouble if it was discovered! Any help would be appreciated!

[LoisLittsLover]

No, you shouldn't do this. I had to sign a form each year saying how many hours she did per day at each setting

[LindowMan]

Don't know about your LA but in ours it's up to the parents which setting gets which hours on which days, not the setting.

If I were you, I'd call the Free Early Education Entitlement or your LA's equivalent and ask them what to do.

[BendingSpoons]

Remember that it's 15 hours term time. It works out at about 11/12 if averaged across the year.

Is your plan that he would be in nursery all day on your work days? So in theory attending every morning at preschool but actually there 3 days? I don't think this will work too well. I think settings can only get funding for days you actually attend (I might be wrong here). Also we had to fill in a form about hours and days. I didn't pay much attention as we were only using one setting, but it could be really complicated.

[cabbageking]

He attends for 2 days.
You want to claim 15 hours for each day?
Confused?

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

No you can’t, you have to sign a declaration and the preschool shouldn’t be asking you to do that. Report them to the early years funding department.

[Baboutheocelot]

You can split the hours between settings. I did with my son, he had some at nursery and the rest at a different pre school. I just had to fill out some paperwork. Ask them why you can’t do this.

[preschoolhelp]

Thanks for all of the advice. I think I'm going to have to speak to the Headteacher as I'm not prepared to lie on a declaration.

In reply to some of your questions, yes he will be in all day Nursery while I am at work for the 2 days - both days of which he would also 'technically' be at pre-school as they are taking 15 hours, even though he will probably only do 2 mornings.

I am able to split the hours across 2 settings but he can't be at 2 settings at exactly the same time! Which is what it will look like if he is at Nursery all day but also preschool has taken hours for a morning session there too!

I will also look into the Free Early education entitlement helpline - thanks for that advice!

[BackforGood]

So, are you saying the school Nursery class only have the children in either 5x morning or 5x afternoon, but you need your dc in childcare for 2 x full days, on the day you work, so they won't be attending the school on those two days ?
(I didn't get that from the opening post, so just trying to help be clear)

[Freddiefox]

No you can’t and really the school shouldn’t make you take all the session, and potentially they know in advance that he won’t be on those days the lea can claim them back after 4 weeks of not using them

[BendingSpoons]

In response to some of the replies, it's fairly standard at school nurseries to expect children in 5 mornings (or afternoons) a week. Not necessary saying that is 'good' but they operate more like the rest of the school with a class in every day. They don't really offer less hours, so would lose funding if they only claimed for 2 days. Some places have moved to offering 2.5 days which I think works much better for working parents.

[Rooberoobe]

I did this with my eldest but both childcare settings only claimed the hours they attended Each week.
However be careful as currently with Covid 19 you are not able to attend 2 settings. Last weeks Gov update had a small amendment to allow childminder to visit schools to drop off/collect but nothing about attending two settings. Im desperate for updates as need to plan for September.

[Myshinynewname]

Is there a reason for using the preschool or could you just increase his nursery hours? A good nursery should be covering the same curriculum as a preschool anyway. I moved dc1 to a preschool but didn't bother with his siblings.

[bookmum08]

Is this a school nursery class within a primary school? As someone has said school nurseries expect the children there 5 days a week (usually the morning or afternoon session). If you need 'childcare' then a school nursery may not be best for you. Maybe have your child attend a childcare nursery until they start Reception Year.