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Parenting

Childcare

5 replies

Kaytee1987 · 17/11/2015 11:54

Maybe I don't have this completely right as some of the lingo is hard to interpret but I'm sure I have the gist of it ..

Children in England & Wales are entitled to up to 30 hours a week free child care from the age of 2 if both parents are working and earn less than 150k.
In Scotland you only get 16 hours per week free from the age of 3, parents that are on benefits are entitled to free childcare from the age of 2.
The working family is hit again. Obviously not all people claiming benefits don't work but if one parent isn't working why can't they look after their own child? Free nursery places should be for families where both parents work.

Have I got it completely wrong or does this seem incredibly unfair for working families in Scotland (damn snp).
If one of the parents isn't working why would they need childcare?

OP posts:
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KP86 · 17/11/2015 11:57

I don't think that's right about English Childcare benefits. But I'm not 100% certain myself (expat) so will leave to another to explain. :)

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boopdoop · 17/11/2015 12:04

I don't think that comes in for the uk until 2017... At the moment is 15 or 16 hours or something like that, from the term after they are 3

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MidnightVelvetthe4th · 17/11/2015 12:08

The last time I had a child in nursery was 3 years ago so things have changed & I'm not sure what English families can have now.

But I can tell you that stay at home parents who don't have so much as a lunch break or a coffee break, a whole night's sleep & who can't start at 9 & finish at 5, sometimes need a rest too :)

The rules may well be different in Scotland as they are for free prescriptions & Uni fees... the rules will always be unfair to someone.

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NickyEds · 17/11/2015 13:37

I think you've got it wrong op. I think everyone(in England) gets 15 hours free (term time) from 3 and from 2 if you're on a low income. They are supposed to be increasing it to 30 free hours next year (or the year after??) but that's only if both parents are working.

In any case you're conflating child care and early years education. It is beneficial to the child to be in some kind of organised early years education from 3 to better prepare them for school. It is supposed to be of particular benefit to children in low income families which is why they get free hours from two.

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youlemming · 17/11/2015 17:10

Nicky is correct 15hrs for all 3yr olds, only families on low incomes and certain benefits get it for 2yr olds.
Increasing to 30hrs in pilot areas from Sept 2016 I believe, with the full roll out being in 2017.
Unless it's changed again since announced back in June.

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