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Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum.

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Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum.

Nurseries

Should mums on benefit have to pay for nursery hours

42 replies

pinkfluffs · 01/02/2019 12:24

Hi I have a 3 year old she is supposedly be getting her free 15 hours a week at nursery tower she's only getting 12.1 hours a week that's 2 and 30 mins at nursery everyday ! I feel as if she don't get enough play time shall I pay the extra 70 a month for her to have more hours shall I pay the 70 £ or let her have the free 12 hours a week ? I don't really have the £70 to spare What would you do ?

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TeenTimesTwo · 01/02/2019 12:29

I don't think a child needs to go to nursery, if other things are being done at home too.
Are you in a position to have friends round for an hour or so, or meet up in a park (when weather nicer), or go to a free 'stories and songs' time at the library, or whatever?

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 01/02/2019 16:43

Choose a different setting (nursery or childminder) who can offer you the full 15 hours funding.

donajimena · 01/02/2019 16:46

My sons nursery only ran for 2.5 hours. Its plenty of time.

MyDcAreMarvel · 01/02/2019 16:48

2.5 hours a day is plenty at two.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 01/02/2019 16:50

The child is 3

rainflowerstar · 01/02/2019 16:51

Does your child go term time or all year?

TinselTimes · 01/02/2019 16:53

That’s plenty of time, I definitely wouldn’t pay the extra.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 01/02/2019 16:55

Why aren't you getting the full 15 hours? Is it a private nursery or council?
I wouldn't pay money I didn't have for the sake of an extra 1/2 hour a day. Can you do other stuff? Toddler group, stay and play, library etc?

TheVanguardSix · 01/02/2019 16:55

Can you not put your child in a state nursery attached to a primary, 9am to midday? They’re almost always better than any private nursery I’ve used (for wraparound care).

Holidayshopping · 01/02/2019 16:58

What’s wrong with 2.5 hours a day?! If you want her to play more-play with her more or take her to a toddler group.

WorriedMum11 · 01/02/2019 17:01

To answer your question yes you should have to pay if you want extra. At 3 - 15 hours is enough find a setting that does them all if that's what you want!

OddBoots · 01/02/2019 17:02

2.5 hours a day is plenty and she will get a lot from being with you too, no need for more nursery. I'm going back a good few years now but mine only did 9h a week (3x3h pw) and it was perfectly fine and normal.

MilkItTilITurnItIntoCheese · 01/02/2019 17:04

You will be entitled to 15 hours a week. If your setting is giving you less its because they are spreading it over a whole year instead of termtime only. You need to either pay the difference or find a termtime only setting.

grumblina · 01/02/2019 17:08

If you are on benefits because you don’t work, I’m sure you could play with her...

Goodynuf · 01/02/2019 17:10

In my opinion if your not working you shouldn't have free nursery care. Unless it's to cover job interviews.

Jackshouse · 01/02/2019 17:13

The 15 hours a week is for 38 weeks of the year. Is your child going to nursery only in term time or all the time?

FraterculaArctica · 01/02/2019 17:14

Some ridiculous comments on this thread. All 3 year olds are entitled to 15 free hours in term time. I'd suggest you ask the nursery if there's something about the way these are spread through the year that means you appear to only get 12 a week. If not, and you want the extra 3 hours, consider a different nursery. Benefits or not has nothing to do with it when child is over 3.

grenadezombie · 01/02/2019 17:16

If you want more than is funded then yes, you should pay.

Tiredeyes21 · 01/02/2019 17:17

Why not just use it for two full days?
My DS is in nursery 4 days a week, even with 30 hours funding it still costs us £400 a month!

BackforGood · 01/02/2019 17:18

As others have said, check how it is they are offering a shorter length of time first - it my well be they offer the 'stretched hours'.
But, in truth, I would look on this as a positive, that my child was lucky enough to live in a country at a time when they offer children a free Nursery place. 2 1/2 hours a day is lots of time for her to do all the activities, get used to being with other children, etc.

grumblina · 01/02/2019 17:19

Surely this was explained - I manage a term time only school based nursery with the option to stretch funding over the whole year as we are open in holidays. Parents decide how they take their funding. The question was if she should pay for it when she’s on benefits so it’s entirely relevant to the thread

grumblina · 01/02/2019 17:20

Just to clarify the preschool is term time only and we do holiday club

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woodhill · 01/02/2019 17:20

The nursery sessions at schools were only 2.5 hours when mine were that age.

Racecardriver · 01/02/2019 17:21

Why is the amount of time she spends there an issue?

Jenb2104 · 01/02/2019 17:22

I'm assuming the 12 hours is the stretched funding over the whole year not just term time. Did they not give you the option?

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