Will 30 hrs free childcare for 9mo+ actually happen now then?

[humpteenumptee]

I know everyone was sceptical about whether this would happen or not as it seems apparent lots of nurseries are already struggling to keep afloat and pay overheads as it is. Now that applications have opened for 2 year olds for 15 free hours does anyone think they are actually going to go ahead with funding it from 9 months?

We’re TTC and it would make such a massive difference to us - ie if we were successful this cycle we’d have an 11 month old by September 2025, when they’re supposedly bringing in the 30 hours for all.

Wow, i cant imagine being responsible for that many children all day every day. In Ireland its 1:11 for 3 hours a day termtime (these are Government funded hours) for ages 2.5 up, and 1:5 for under 3s and 1:8 for over 3s outside of that. Most Lead Educators here have degrees as do many Educators.

Yeah I bet this might happen too actually!

Absolutely. It might be something that the government claim they ‘offer’ but if you can’t find a provider to offer it to you, it’s just words.

Rather like NHS dentistry-you might be entitled to free treatment for your whole family, but if you can’t find an nhs dentist prepared to take you on, you either go without, or you pay full whack.

Our nursery seems to think it’ll happen. It’s a big chain but for context it’s only reducing our fees by £300 pm anyway.

60 hours x£5 = £300 which sounds about right. Not sure how much you were expecting? Providers don't know the actual rates to be paid just yet, it's in consultation.

I hadn’t worked it out but assumed that 30 hours free would mean a bigger chunk of the fees coming off. But to be honest, I’m glad it’s going down even if it’s only a small amount. We have two in childcare at the moment so every bit helps!!

Sorry I don’t think it quoted back at you! But this is what I replied above -

I hadn’t worked it out but assumed that 30 hours free would mean a bigger chunk of the fees coming off. But to be honest, I’m glad it’s going down even if it’s only a small amount. We have two in childcare at the moment so every bit helps!!

It's only 15 hours to start with though @BubblinTrouble

Even if it goes ahead there aren’t going to be enough spaces for all the children, not whilst settings are closing in droves

@KateyCuckoo sorry. I’m not being clear.

Our nursery have implemented the 2 year old funding and it only reduced it by £300 odd. They do think that the 9 month old funding will also happen eventually. But obviously no one really knows for sure.

But my thinking is that it won’t actually be a huge reduction given that the 2 year old funding hasn’t been a huge amount. But as you’ve pointed out it’ll depend on the actual actual rates. My thinking is that based on the current reduction, I am unsure how much cheaper it’ll really be. 😑

Yeah sorry I don't follow at all. Even 2 year funding hasn't started yet, none of it has been implemented yet. Maybe your nursery have given you projections on what your new invoices will be? And I was just saying that £300 reduction for 15 hours funding (so 60 hours per month) sounds about right even though you sound disappointed it isn't more.

I realise I sound snippy reading that back, I promise I'm not. Just trying to understand.

I hope to find out in February what rate I will be paid, hoping it's decent so I can offer it truly free otherwise I'll have to expand to parents why the offer isn't as great as they were expecting.

@KateyCuckoo its a minefield all of it. But you’re right, for the 2 year old funding, we’ve received the fees that will be in place for 2024 already. I don’t get it at all and we’ll just pay whatever the nursery tell us to 😂 I’ve never sat down and tried to understand how it’s worked out so thanks for explaining it!

Ours is taking the 2 year old funding but has insisted on minimum 4 full days and the day rate has gone up. The funded hours can only be used between 9 and 3 and the pre 9am and after 3pm charge has gone up, they also charge extra for sundries and a lunch surcharge. A lot of my friend's nurseries have done the same, we are lucky with only having to commit to 4 days, one of my friends nurseries has inisted on 5 full days if you want to use funded hours. As they all need 7.30- 5.30 or 6pm childcare they say its only reduced thier fees by £200 a month due to the day rate rises and extra hours.

There is a huge shortage of nursery and cm places in our area so they have the upper hand. Loads of cm round us are only taking under 2s.

Our nursery has also started doing loads of fundraising events and it's £1 here and there every couple of weeks, tombola, raffle, cake sale ect. They are constantly asking for donations at the rate that rivals my cousins academy who pretty much have 2 non uniform days a term, themed dressing up days that require buying costumes to raise money, and constantly beg for money on the parent mail. Tbh I'd rather pay more in fees rather than have constant begging messages, non uniform days, themed days ect.

A few things to remember IF it happens. (apologies if this has already been pointed out)
Funding won't always start from 9 months, it will be from the term after a baby is 9 months, which could be when they are 12 months.
It will only be 15 hours, increasing to 30 and is term time only. So for most people who need childcare all year round will only be 11 hours a week (or 22 if '30' hours is introduced)
And it is not free. The hourly rate published for the 2 and 3 year funding in April is the amount local authorities will get, they then keep a percentage and (in our area at least) providers do not know what they will get but it is assumed it will be less then the rate charged at the moment. Providers will also be in the precarious position where if a child is off sick or suddenly leaves they may not be paid. It is most likely the vast majority of providers will have to charge some kind of admin fee or resources fee. Parents may also have to pay if they move their child to a different provider mid term.
I'm not suggesting parents will get no benefit and of course anything is better than nothing but it won't be nearly as much as people might think.

£300 less nursery fees would be very helpful here!

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/free-childcare-15-hours-nursery-b2473773.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1704569827

It’s not looking good.

Just add to this - the hourly rate published varies from one local authority to another meaning it’s vastly different to what the news articles report.

I’m a childminder and get paid £1.65 less than my usual hourly rate for 3 and 4 year old funding and I charge less than others in my area. Some areas the difference is larger whilst in other areas settings get paid more than their hourly rate. It’s a bit of a shambles.

also, there is more admin when providing funding, more hoops to jump through. More work for less pay.

I have decided to close my door this year. I love my job, I love helping the little ones grow and bloom and love that my home is their second home. The children are cherished and nurtured. I’m just so tired of the constant fight to earn enough to keep a roof over my head. Working in a supermarket has never sounded so good as it does now.

How sad, childcare providers really have been thrown under the bus. Parents have been promised the impossible and the government will blame the sector when it doesn't work out.
I think I can make it work, for now. But I would ideally like to be able to employ an assistant and increase my numbers but it I would be out of pocket, even with paying minimum.