to not understand why those with lower income get free childcare even if they don't work

[PrincessScrumpy]

2 mums from a toddler group I go to are on income support and their DC start their free 2 days a week at nursery at the age of 2. I have dd1 age 5, and dtds 2. We couldn't afford childcare for 2 babies so I had to cut my hours by more than half and work from home around dc which is hard but we wouldn't cover the bills if I didn't. obviously twins was a surprise and a huge financial hit so savings are very low/almost non existent.

Anyway, I have another year until my dtds get free childcare while a lady with one dc gets it at age 2 despite having no intention to work. This feels really unfair and I just don't get the reasoning.
I'm not trying to benefit bash but it's hard not to feel angry. Willing to accept iabu, but can't help feeling this way.

[TheOrchardKeeper]

You get it if you're a lone parent on income support so it's not related to parenting.

[TheProsAndConsOfHitchhiking]

dreamingofsun That is an awful thing to say. No one knows this womans circumstances.

[BrokenSunglasses]

I do see your point in that people can be offered this help when they don't really need it because the qualifying criteria doesn't actually look into people circumstances and just decides that anyone on a certain benefit must need it.

But personally, I think two year olds are better off at home in most cases anyway, and if help with childcare is needed so that parents can work, then that is a different thing that should be addressed separately.

[Sonnet]

What a snipy thread.
I understand what you mean PrincessScrumy. It must be hard working with 2 toddlers underfoot

[HeySoulSister]

Op.... There are TWO of you bringing up your dc..... You should be able to have 'lively me time' too..... Or is your partner lacking?

[hazeyjane]

on the plus side she's only getting 'lovely me time' because the gov deems her parenting lacking.

^^ this is really not what the 2 year funding scheme is about.

[HeySoulSister]

*lovely!

[EhricLovesTeamQhuay]

Oh yes princess it's so lovely being a single parent on benefits! I'm not surprised you're jealous! You must be so disadvantaged with your partner and decent income!

[ifyourehoppyandyouknowit]

It. Is. Not. For. The. Parents.

It is there because children from poorer backgrounds are disadvantaged socially and educationally. It is preschool education to help the child be up to the same standard as their peers when they start school. It is there to help the child. What the mum or dad chooses to do with those free hours is entirely up to them. IF they are choosing not to work and to claim benefits as a lifestyle choice (and I'm sceptical at just how much choice people think is involved in this) then all the more reason that the child needs the advantages of preschool education.

[PrincessScrumpy]

She's not a single mother and yes I have a dh but yesterday said goodbye at 8am and he got back from work at 9.45pm - just because I have a dh doesn't mean he's able to help.

I do get that sine children need it but in this instance I don't get it.

[dreamingofsun]

nicename - not sure i agree with forking out a load of tax to 'give parents a break for a few hours' even if they are single parents. Going to work FT and then looking after children is hard work - just having kids and no work seems a doss in comparison - so why should a worker have to subsidise them. plus just because you are a couple doesn't mean you share childcare - mine husband worked away during the week.

[TheOrchardKeeper]

And id rather have a job that pays and not live in a 1bed but such is life and with this studying I'll hopefully not be in this situation forever! The grass is certainly greener

[DuelingFanjo]

I don't get free nursery places here in Cardiff. It's not open to everyone.

[Sonnet]

I would imagine It.Is.The.System that PrincessScrumy is cross with not the children HopAlongOn
It sounds like in her situation she would welcome the assistance

[HeySoulSister]

So she gets income support for what reason? Someone is disabled?

You sound nasty op....

[TheOrchardKeeper]

Oh yeah, being a skint full time student is so easy

[EhricLovesTeamQhuay]

If she's on income support she must be a single parent.

[BeetleBugBaby]

I have sent my DD for her free hours. I am on benefits. I have sent her for the social interaction with other children. Not because I want child free time (I wouldn't get any anyway, I have another child under 1)

So I am very sorry that you feel the way you do, I am sure I will have the same problem once I start work again, but I figured I would make the most of what SHE is entitled to while she can still get it. She loves making new little friends, so would rather her do it now because when I go back to work I will probably send her to a child minder as I have heard it is cheaper.

You sound quite judgemental, but I do understand why you are pissed off. I certainly don't get 'Me time'!

[HeySoulSister]

Is your DH not around on weekends/holidays/days off??

[TheProsAndConsOfHitchhiking]

I agree with HSS You sound very bitter op about a child going to nursery.

[Standautocorrected]

My friend got funding for her twins when they were 2 as she had an older one (under 5) too.
Can you ask and see if that option is available to you?

[lottieandmia]

Princess - stop judging this woman and being jealous on the basis of what you see of her life. You couldn't possibly know all the details and you sound quite bitter tbh. So what if she has a house full of toys? You don't know who paid for them. The nursery hours are for the child's benefit - they are intended to give children a good start in life so they are not behind others when they start reception.

[ifyourehoppyandyouknowit]

But surely if you suspect that a person is 'working the system' and being deliberately lazy, as the OP seems to be suggesting, you can see that it might be in the best interests of the child and society at large if the children are receiving some kind formalised early years education? Stop looking at it as this free time that parents get if they can't be arsed to work and look at it as this free resource that children get because they are in a disadvantaged situation.

[WilsonFrickett]

OP have you actually asked what is available for you? I know a friend who got funded extra school nursery hours for her then 4 yo when she had DTs, and then I'm sure the DTs got some additional placing simply because they were DTs and it was felt families of multiples should get a little bit of support.

[PrincessScrumpy]

goodness, no Dh not lacking, he works long hours then at weekends cares for dc while I work. To be honest, our situation is common among families with multiples.
I have full respect for single parents and am not attacking them. This woman is not a single parent so please stop being offended by something I haven't said