Thoughts on this debate?

[User1234567891011]

Just wondering people's thoughts on this article on the debate of why parents on benefits are entitled to free childcare while those who work are not...

www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/dads-rant-free-childcare-people-9271429

If my son was 2 now then he would be entitled to it because of his disabilities just as he gets extra support now. There are lots of reasons why children get it.

The ones moaning about this will be the same ones complaining that for whatever reason a child cannot use utensils, isn't properly toilet trained and can't dress themselves and is taking up too much of the teacher's time.

The ones moaning about this will be the same ones complaining that for whatever reason a child cannot use utensils, isn't properly toilet trained and can't dress themselves and is taking up too much of the teacher's time.

Reading some of these replies is making me feel pretty shit. My youngest has additional needs and will most likely avail of the 2yr old funding. When I found this out I was so glad that it meant he would be able to go to preschool early, as he will have time to socialise in an environment where they're set up for children with differing needs; he'll get varied interaction with trained early years practitioners; he'll develop some independence from me (he relies on me to understand his needs as he can't communicate) and most of all, he'll have fun! It's gross that everyone assumes the worst, it's depressing that I feel that I can't be open about the opportunities he does has for fear of being criticised for being in receipt of benefits. Yes, I will have a bit more time to myself, but my daily life is actually very hard going (another one of my children has ASD) and doesn't stop: a job honestly would be some relief but there is no alternative to provide care for our children. It has to be me doing it. Hopefully it won't always be this way, but who knows. In the meantime I will try not to feel guilt at taking advantage of the few schemes of help that are available.

I'd want to read a more intelligent, properly researched and balanced piece than you'd find in the Mirror before making a judgement (other than my judgement on the Mirror and its reporters, obviously).

Can I just point out that it's not just parents that don't work - it's one income families who get this too.

I agree it's not ideal but neither are any of the alternatives.

Not agreeing with what you are saying is of course 'bleating on'? Either this is an adult conversation / debate or it isn't.

My child couldn't access any playgroups or the other places that 2 year olds could be with other children. I don't believe there was anyone better at caring for him than me but he would have benefited from spending time with other children and from other adults learning about his needs.

Can I just point out that it's not just parents that don't work - it's one income families who get this too.

No its not, its parents who don't work and single families who don't work.

Single payment families have to pay.

I also think it's demeaningful to say that just because parents are on benefits children are intellectually disadvantaged. What's that got to do with how a child learns,

It's a blunt instrument, but still pretty accurate.

Of all the many things you might criticise about the welfare state, this seems not one of them to me.

Oh yawn. People moaning about this again?

It's called free early years education. Its for the child's benefit. The sooner people see that the better. It's not childcare to give the pesky unemployed/low income parents "time off".

I also don't know how 15 hours of nursery would be much of a help for childcare.

Eligibility for 2-year-olds

Your 2-year-old can get free early education and childcare if you get one of the following:

Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Universal Credit
tax credits and you have an annual income of under £16,190 before tax
the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
A child can also get free early education and childcare if any of the following apply:

they’re looked after by a local council
they have a current statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education, health and care (EHC) plan
they get Disability Living Allowance
they’ve left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption.

So no its not just people who don't work

Exactly sleepy. DH works PT (is looking for a FT job and has applied to some). I don't work yet as DD2 is only 9 months.

However when DD2 is entitled to this scheme U.K. Will use this opportunity to directly work or train.

We are both CI which too can pose a problem with work and being accepted into a job.

But I do understand the frustration.

Its two-fold. Nobody begrudges 2 years from accessing the childcare because of the benefits, and for children with disabilities it provides additional enrichment for the child and respite for the parent.

However there is a view of the feckless parent dashing home to watch Jezzer Kyle on the plasma and play on the XBox.

These parents should be using their child-free time to look for work, volunteering, training and making themselves employable.

I am quite sure this is not for those who don't work, its low income families in general. We get this because we get tax credits. My sister gets it as she also gets tax credits. I admit I didn't actually know this wasn't available to everyone though..I just got a random 'golden ticket' through my door informing me my child could get 15 hrs at nursery from aged 2 onwards. Assumed it was everyone tbh. Most of the parents of kids at the school also work.

If it is only for unemployed people then me and DH have been committing fraud and noone picked up on it, infact they encouraged it :S

Mine went at two because he is speech delayed he is now nearly four and still delayed he speaks more at home than he does there his potty training was delayed because of it messing about with his routines but because social services were involved with the family (because of there dad) they wanted him in and I was criticized because I didn't use all the hours to make it clearer he is the youngest of three his older sibs have no issues and I had identified him as speech delayed and accessed support without there involvement there was just no need to force him into it