School nursery costs?

[hotmessmom82]

My son is due to start nursery at school in September. They no longer offer 30hrs as they did with my eldest. It's 15hrs and £50 per week if you want them to do the 30hrs. I ended work last year due to childcare issues and am finding it hard to find a job that fits around the boys (my eldest is extremely sensitive and finds being at after school club stressful). I'm really worrying that if I'm not back in work than he's going to be behind if he only does 15hrs. I am considering paying the £50 p/w, it will be a struggle but I think I would be able to do it. Maintenance payments are few and far between and he has little interest in them anymore, so it does all fall on me. Is there anyone else having this kind of issue with schools?

He won't be behind if he only does 15 hours, really he won't. Fine to send him for 30 hours if you need him to be there but don't struggle to pay £50/week if you don't.

Why would he be behind?

Doing 15 hours will be fine. My youngest is doing 15 hours and he is only doing that many because he was so bored at home with his older brothers at school. My 4 year old did 6 hours, my 10 year old did 8 and my 7 year old did none.

Nowhere around here offers the 30 hours as they can't afford it.
Depends where you are in UK but £50 a week is good. Can't get a day for that here!
You don't say how old he is but I wouldn't worry about him being behind. Many children don't go to nursery at all and start education at school.

He won't be behind. I taught in a school nursery and some of the dc did one session and some did two. The sessions were pretty much the same. If you made a diva lamp in the morning, you made a diva lamp in the afternoon.

30 hours have only been offered since september and alot of children don't qualify for them anyway.

He really wont be behind.

Also if you aren't working you won't qualify for 30 hours anyway. Has to be the equivalent of 16 hours at minimum wage. So I'd just stick with 15 in your situation and review it if you start work

We are in the catchment area for 3 schools. One offers the 30hrs, one it's £20 per week, and the school my eldest goes to its £50. I wouldn't want to change schools as I am generally very happy with it. My youngest is 3, 4 in November.

I know I won't be entitled to 30hrs. I am considering paying the £50 per week to enable him to have 30hrs.

I wouldn’t worry op, 15 hours has been be norm for pre school for a long time. Both of my dc’s only ever did mornings and have settled very well in school

I'm probably over thinking things. And I don't want him to miss out. When he was full time in daycare nursery he loved it and I know he would enjoy being at school as he is very social.

No one offers 30 here. Most of pre schools now only offering 2.5 hours a day

Your ds would learn a lot more at home one to one if you do a little research. And time with you is important too.

DD could have gone school nursery 5 afternoons funded during my mat leave but I didn't want to miss out. She did 3 days preschool instead.

Children start school at all different stages and it soon levels out.

They don't need to do 15 hours let alone 30. My dd didn't like preschool so didn't go st all. She wasn't behind in the slightest, socially or academically. I find it preferable to keep reception Age part time as long as possible, they don't need to be in school 30 hours. If you ask nursery and childcare providers they don't recommend it either. It's different if you need the childcare, but your child does not need the preschool.

I am an early years/infant teacher with 20 years experience. All of my D.C. did 15hrs in a school nursery. I found it the perfect balance for my D.C., but was fortunate that DH or I were able to have them in the afternoon.