Free nursery for 2 yo ? What's the criteria ?

[mummaxmas]

My ds3 is nearly 2 and could really do with nursery for few hours a week, but with no spare cash not really an option ? How do you qualify for a free place and how do you go about applying ?

I'm not sure if it's the same throughout the country, so it might be best to have a look at your local authority website.

I think that free places for 2 year olds are done if you are referred by the HV team or something, mainly for children from deprived backgrounds, mothers who are struggling due to severe PND and that sort of thing. Ask your HV what the criteria are.

From another point of view, why do you think your 2 year old needs nursery? Not every child goes to nursery at that age by any stretch of the imagination. I assume you are at home with him? What do you do together? Do you get out and about to groups and so on?

I get free hours for DD. I didn't need a hv referral, but there's a list of criteria, and the more boxes you tick, the more likely you are to get a place. I'm a lone parent/low income/diagnosed PND. There's usually a waiting list too, I waited four months I think. I used to send DD for one afternoon before this, it only cost about £12 for 3 hours. This is a private nursery. Playgroups are usually cheaper, or a least round here, about £8 for a three hour session I think.

You need to be on benefits or have a very low income.
At least thats the criteria where I live.

Thanks everyone I will speak to nursery see if they know. Don't think I'm ticking those boxes, not lone parent but oh rarely hear as self emp, have 3 boys and little time for hw and could really do with break !

The criteria where I live is disadvantaged Children.

I was offered the free space but turned it down. I was offered it because I am in ill health.

Other people who I know were given the free space because of various things such as depression, lone parent etc.

if you have a children's centre near you ask to speak to the outreach worker and ask about the 2-year-old pilot scheme.

Thwy will also be able to help you track down nurseries which have space etc.

www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/1134351/Expansion-free-early-years-places-two-year-olds-start-autumn/

I'm a lone parent on low income but I did not qualify in my area. Some of the criteria included parents whose native language isn't English, drug addiction and lone parent under 19. You should check with a couple of the nurseries because they probably all have different criteria.

the nursery should know the exact criteria or at least check for you. Some nurseries/pre-schools are not in the 2 year old funding scheme yet.

In our area it's readily available without any criteria. They are always advertising free spaces and asking for people to sign up... I think it's because we are very rural and they would lose the funding otherwise. Worth checking.

My daughter gets 10 hours a week. We were eligable (Surrey) as she recieves DLA