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Education

How often does your dd/ds go to nursery?

27 replies

emily05 · 12/08/2005 12:12

Ds will start getting govenment funding in September for his nursery fees.

At the moment he goes to nursery once a week for 2.5 hours.

The way that the funding works out is that he can go 5 afternoons sessions a week term time only (and obviously not at all during the holidays). Is this normal?

He could go for as many sessions as I want and they give you credit for £110 (I think) a month. This means though (as his nursery is £10 for 2.5 hours) he wil only be able to do about 2 sessions a week - but this will be all year around.

what do yours do? Is 5 sessions alot? Is 2 sessions too little!!?? He will start school Sept next year so I want him to be ready.

I really hope that this makes sense!

OP posts:

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swiperfox · 12/08/2005 12:16

Hiya my dd is 3.7 and starts school next september too. A few months ago she was doing 3 afternoons a week until we moved and she has now been out of playgroup for 2 months. She absolutely loved going as the sessions are only for a couple of hours, she had lots of other children to play with and it gave her a break from me and daddy and being at home. In the couple of months she hasmn't been, she has been so bored and difficult. She really misses it. She starts the new one here when the schools go back in September and is down for 5 afternoons. I really don't think its too much - esp as they are going to school in a year, it gives them vital social skills for going into 'proper' school - He will absolutely love it!!

Donbean · 12/08/2005 12:17

Mine is starting in September two 2.5 hour session per week.
I think i would consider more when he is settled, maybe next September.
I dont know the answer to your question as im very new at this playgroup/nursery lark myself.
Can i ask you though, at what age do children get government funding AND do you have to have special circumstances to get funding ie benefits etc?

bigdonna · 12/08/2005 12:19

Both my kids did 5 mornings a week at aged 3.they both loved it.my mindee now starts the same nursery in september for five mornings from 8.50am to 11.20am leaving us the afternoons to do something else .

Tommy · 12/08/2005 12:21

My DS started off with 2 sessions and went to 3 sessions after Easter (he was 3 in January). He's going to 5 sessions as from September.
Personally, I think 5 sessions is a bit too much TBH but 3 or 4 is probably about right. The holidays get him used to having holidays from school and give him a break too.
I'm sort of thinking mine will go every morning but it doesn't matter if he doesn't go sometimes - if we're planning a day out or soemthing or if he's just too tired.

emily05 · 12/08/2005 12:22

He gets the standard entitlement that all children get - £110 a month from the september after his third birthday (hope that makes sense!!)

I think you are both right - he loves nursery and will get lots out of it. What I am concerned about is as the 5 sessions a week is term time only, come next June he will be off from June - september. But I suppose that is what happens when they are at school.

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ninah · 12/08/2005 12:22

donbean they get the funding (paid direct to nursery) the term following their third birthday.
My ds has been full time since about 3 or 4 months, he is a Sept baby so will be the oldest in his class at school so I think he will be really ready by the time this comes!

ninah · 12/08/2005 12:23

it is NOT means tested

emily05 · 12/08/2005 12:23

bigdonna and tommy - so yours is term time only too? Do they get bored in the holidays at all?

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LilacLotus · 12/08/2005 12:23

DD started nursery school at 3.3 last september for 2.5 hours a day (afternoon). it is free as it is part of an infant school. i found 5 sessions a week suited really well.

Donbean · 12/08/2005 12:23

Can any one tell me about the goverment funding for nursery places?
Do you have to claim benefits or is it available regardless of income?
How do you go about claiming it and do they list places it can be used or can you chose where it goes?

emily05 · 12/08/2005 12:24

Your nursery give you a pack when they approach the correct age (ask if they dont). Everybody gets the funding

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Donbean · 12/08/2005 12:24

Ah i see, sorry, crossed posts.
Thanks.
How do you claim it then?

ninah · 12/08/2005 12:25

db see below and I started a thread on this a while ago, got some good links
Best
Ninah

emily05 · 12/08/2005 12:25

all nurserys (I think) take the funding and it can be split. I got a pack that my nursery gave me )from the council) that explained it all

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ninah · 12/08/2005 12:25

I think it happens automatically. Ask at the nursery, they need to be an approved provider but most are as far as I can see

Donbean · 12/08/2005 12:26

Again crossed posts, thanks for that.
When ds starts in September it will be £6.50 per 2.5 hour session. I dont mind paying that as he is ready but it would be great to get a freeby for once.

Distel · 12/08/2005 12:26

My dd starts nursery in september and will be going for 2 days a week (9-3). She could have gone anytimes of the week that I liked as long as it added up to 12.2 hours.

emily05 · 12/08/2005 12:26

It is a form, you literally just put your childs details and sign it - the nursery do the rest

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Donbean · 12/08/2005 12:27

Thanks ninah, i will have a look in the archives for your info.

emily05 · 12/08/2005 12:27

donbean - That is a good price. Ds loves nursery. How old is your ds and when will he be 3?

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Donbean · 12/08/2005 12:29

He is just 2, wont be 3 till next July.
Ive been having nightmares about him starting, how were you all when yours started?

emily05 · 12/08/2005 12:32

so you will get funding from next september.

I was all apprehensive, but ds just run off and didnt look back! He cries when he comes home! No trouble at all and he loves it. I love having the time to myslef (to watch neighbours hehe).

I wouldnt worry Donbean, it also teaches them to mix with children and share - I wish I had sent ds earlier but couldnt afford it

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Raspberry · 12/08/2005 12:32

ds - 2.4yrs - council run nursery - sth manc. - £212 per month for 3 full days per week
used to go to private one - 5 days a week - £380p.c.m. from 9mths onwards

Gobbledigook · 12/08/2005 12:38

Ds1 is starting reception in September. Last yr he did 5 mornings at a private sessional nursery (9am-1pm).

Ds2 is now 2.9 - he's been going to the same nursery since Jan and he does 3 mornings at the same nursery.

ninah · 12/08/2005 12:41

good luck donbean! It's going to be a big help for us
Don't worry about starting, ds loves it and I think mixing with the other children is great

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