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Original poster

30 Free Hours but still being asked to pay, is that right?

78 replies

EsouthA · 04/06/2022 18:59

Hi,

I wondered if anyone could help me with the below.

My daughter will start her 30 free hours in September which we have decided to stretch the whole year so works out at 21.9 hours per week.

When applying to her nursery (Busy Bees) we added on one extra morning to make it 20 hours per week. So this we were expecting to be fully covered by the 30 free hours allowance (21.9 hours) however they have come back with this fee sheet which basically broken down means we have to pay a certain amount towards funded hours and also we have to pay for non funded hours which really we shouldn’t have but apparently they are saying we do.
has anyone else experienced this?

With baby no.2 due in October we were hoping in the 30 free hours covering the childcare costs but now we’re looking to reduce my daughters hours so not to pay too much which we just don’t have.

Any advice/experience much appreciated.

Thanks in advance x

30 Free Hours but still being asked to pay, is that right?
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houseofboy · 04/06/2022 19:07

My understanding when I looked at some nurseries was that a lot charge for food etc over the 30 hours so there is still a charge. In the end we went for a preschool setting and pay nothing for my son 3 days a week but doesn't cover holidays. Maybe an option whilst on maternity leave when you can cover the holidays though I know not ideal.

thebabynanny · 04/06/2022 19:06

I can't read your attachment, but many providers need to do this as the amount paid by government doesn't cover the providers' costs.

The 30 hours are "funded" not "free".

Some providers only allow you to have the funded time between certain hours, or a max of a certain number of hours a day, or charge extra for 'consumables' like food, craft supplies or activities to make up the shortfall.

You will probably find that termtime only school nurseries or community preschools are able to offer the hours totally free or with a small cost for lunch.

DarlingDarwin · 04/06/2022 19:02

My 30 free hours cover about a day and a half.