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.

MurderOfGoths "Ah ok, looks like DS is too young to need to register him yet, but I've saved the link. OP in a funny way you've helped"

I don't know who you have spoken to MOG but do make sure you speak to the actual setting you'd like him to attend. I work in a pre-school and we already have a list of children who will be starting September 2014, some of whom are only 1 now but will get the 2 year funding under the criteria next year, some even younger who will start Christmas 2014 or even Easter 2015.

Where I work there is a nursery and we send out forms to bumps (I'm not joking).

DD is 2 and gets 15 hours free. Me and DH both work full time and we top up the hours. She has severe epilepsy (can have seizures all day every day), is way behind her peers as a result, has behaviour issues (suspected ASD) and generally spends her whole day fitting, sleeping or crying. I'd love to pay for all her childcare if it meant she didn't have those issues.

oddboots That's useful to know :)

OMG, life is unfair! Wow. Who'd have thunk it!? Diddums.

Wasting your life being angry or jealous over what you don't have is just that: a waste of life.

Can'tsleep - ds's preschool had said he wouldn't be eligible, because we don't qualify under income, but I called and they said that if a child is severely delayed, has complex medical issues and has a caf drawn up, the they would qualify (ds has all 3). Definitely call them yourselves.

I never bothered with nursery for dds until preschool at 3 and a half, but things are different for ds, I don't send him to get a break (hell, I have to go with him!) He is learning to socialise with other children, follow instructions and a routine. He accesses SALT, physio and OT - who all visit him in preschool.

Thankyou K8middleton, I am probably a bit touchy about this subject!!

I think your line says it all MrsDeVere. It comes to something when people are jealous of a family who are most likely going through some sort of shit because they get a few hours a week childcare to help them and the child.

How dare she have a house with a big garden, toys for her child and a friend to visit. Cheeky cow.

She should live in a box room in a block of flats right? With nothing but empty cardboard boxes for her kids to play with of course. That's only what she deserves being on income support.

Have a bloody

I find it offensive that it is assumed that children of unemployed people will be disadvantaged. At the age of 2 kids don't need loads of money spent on activities and toys they just need engaged, caring parents who are willing to take the time to play with their dc.

It feels to me a little like the government trying to control tge way children are brought up.

In my opinion is should either be all children with sahp get free nursery ( even if that child has a very wealthy father and a sahm) or if tge family has no adults in employment.

It may be offensive but it is also proven that certain groups are more likely to be disadvantaged which is why extra support is offered to those families.

I think its scary. If its there out of neccesity, then its pretty tragic that so many people are having children into a situation where its so important that the child is in care 2 days a week that the government pay for it!

No wonder there is such a stigma about being on benefits

So, if this mum got a job (and then actually needed childcare) she would loose the free place her child had and have to fund it herself? If that's the case YANBU that makes no sense to me.

I agree Ken it is that part of it that is a bit mixed up. Using benefits as a marker is a pretty blunt instrument. If that mother then found a NMW job and lost her child's free nursery place it would be pretty hard for her to keep the actual job - and that doesn't make any sense at all.

Socialisation is a weak idea. But nursery for children in a household where no one works is good. Workless households are generally poorer education households, and some sort of early eduction will benefit the children thereof.

It may be different in different places but we have been assured that once a child had been given 2 year funding it will not be withdrawn at that would be disruptive for the child.

By working that mother would be entitled to working and childcare tax credits .......

I think it would be better if parents were given free play sessions for them and their toddler.