One to one support in nursery

[FutureMum]

dd is four and has autism, she's being evaluated for a statement. She attends nursery full time as we work and no family nearby. Been told she cannot get more than 15 hrs a week of one to one, which is what she already has. Because apparently it is thought she doesn't need to be in nursery more than 15 hrs a week anyway. This confused me and upset me, she needs more support but we need to work. Does anyone know otherwise?

[Ineedmorepatience]

My LA say that they only give 10 hrs one to one funding for pre school age children. But in fact they are not allowed to have blanket policies, they are unlawful!

Whether you will get yours to change their minds who knows! I would suggest your Early Years SEN advisor as a starting point.

In my local authority a only tiny percentage of parents of disabled children are able to find effective, affordable child care

Good luck

[AgnesDiPesto]

There is a duty under the childcare act to provide sufficient childcare to meet needs disabled children. Other legislation covers your right to work. But there are no sanctions if LAs ignore these laws. My LA paid for 1:1 for up to 30 hours per week for working parents (although only for 38 weeks which misses the point most of us don't get 14 weeks holiday). However it was an improvement on what your LA is offering. You could also approach social care for a carers assessment requesting support to enable you to stay in work. I would also write to whoever is in charge of the childrens educ and care services at your council and the councillor with the remit for children and ask why they don't have a scheme to support parents of disabled children who want to work.
You can also argue your child needs more than 15 hours per week education, there is no 15 hour limit - that is just the amount of free childcare the govt will fund, while that is often made out to be the legal entitlement, it's not, to have sen needs met (and under new code practice) achieve best outcomes many children with Sen need more than 15 hours as every skill has to be taught directly and it takes longer. I won 35 hours 48 week provision for my son at age 3 at tribunal on basis this was the level of education needed to teach everything he needed to learn. Do you have a statement? If so appeal it for more hours. If not apply for one.
Get your MP involved too

For other legal rights carers See www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/guide/rights/Pages/carers-rights.aspx

Do use one of the benefit checking website eg entitledto to see what you may get with Dla, tax credits, carers etc etc. we both work PT but over the tax credit threshold and actually get a reasonable amount between that and Dla.

Looking at special schools might be an option as often offer more than 15 hours.

[everydayaschoolday]

DD2 (3YO) gets 15hours 1:1 in a nursery setting in a primary school. These hours are calculated on a full-time provision, as full time for 3YO govt funded nursery placements is 15 hours. Next year, if she is still entitled to full time 1:1, then I would expect the hours to go up to reflect the full school day.

However, I left full time work to become a carer - I couldn't juggle it all. So I've been 'lucky' not to be in your predicament. Agnes presents some interesting points I hadn't considered. Hope it works out for you OP, good luck .

[FutureMum]

Agnes have Pm d you.