Can I split 15hrs childcare across 2 settings?

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Does anyone know if I can split the 15hrs free childcare (not the additional 15, the original non means tested from 3years) across 2 settings? I am considering a job offer but it would mean Ds changing days at nursery which his current one can't accommodate. So my options are to do an additional day at a 2nd setting (paid for) or to swap a day from current nursery to a new nursery or childminder.

The website doesn't explicitly state it, and nursery aren't sure either.

Yes you can. At least in my LA (Beds Boro) you can

Yes, I’ve done iy

Yes I did it.

Thank you.

If in doubt, ask mumsnet!

Do you just apply for the relative funding at each setting then and they each process their share?

Aside from the financial side of it, I've just called time on using two settings (we went in for similar reasons to yours). It's quite a big ask of the child and we found it tricky if I'm honest. I'd get yourself on the waiting list and take all hours over to one setting when you can, but that's just my experience.

Neigh the problem is that his current nursery will never get the available hours as they are a school setting and already have a waiting list, but he's been there almost a year already and will go to school with all his little friends there so I don't want to move him for all his hours.

I really don't know how else to work it out. If it helps, he's a very robust little character with lots of confidence so I don't think he'll struggle as such, but I agree a lot of passing around is not going to be easy.

You just fill in one form where I am, list both settings and the council sorts it out

Both of my kids had childcare split between me, grandparents, childminder and a few mornings at nursery and they found it fine.

Not all nurseries will agree to split the funding though. It’s supposed to be parental choice but it isn’t always in reality.

The school my Granddaughter was in had a list of childminders who could make up the difference.

@mygrandchildrenrock I suppose if they don't agree to it then that's another issue, the one he's currently at will, it's whether the new one will agree to have only partial funding.

I really don't know what to do for the best. I don't even particularly need the job but I want it and I've been a sahm for 4.5 years so this is all new to me really.

Could you move your little one to the new nursery for 15 hours and pay for one or two sessions at his current one, so he stays in the friendship group that he will go to school with. Or the other way round.
However, if they will split the funding, problem solved. Many children do cope well with going to two different settings.

Yes