To think the 15 free hours childcare is for ALL 4 yos?

[jamoncrumpets]

My DS is a v v late summerborn and I've decided not to have him start Reception this Sept (he has ASD and ADHD, and community paediatrics recommended he stay in a nursery setting).

I've found him a fab nursery, v close to our house and there's space for us - hooray! But the nursery manager told me that he 'might not be entitled' to the 15 hour funding because he's 'supposed to be at school'.

AIBU to believe that the 15 hours are for all kids aged 4? I obvs don't expect him to be entitled when he's 5.

The government website say it 'stops when your child starts in reception class (or reaches compulsory school age, if later)' so it sounds like you're right. I think compulsory school age is from the term after your DS is 5.

Isn’t it 30 hours now?

They may need to contact the la, our preschool did. We were entitled until the start of the term in which he turned 5. So as a may birthday he was entitled up until the start of the Easter term

My DS is 31/08! The latest you can be. Sounds like I'm worrying over nothing, so thanks all!

As long as he is attending nursery by headcount which is usually around October time the nursery can claim for the free hours. He will be entitled until he is statutory school age (term after 5)

@NoNarnas only for working parents. 15h is universal

I run a nursery and he would definitely be entitled to the 15 hours. It is fairly rare for parents to choose to delay school start (at least it is in the areas I’ve worked) so it’s not surprising that the manager might be unsure. She’s probably never been in his situation before

Thanks Pecano, he's a bit of a special case, given DOB and ongoing ASD assessments. But we have been supported fully by community paediatrician, so fairly confident he'll get his deferred start. If not we'll put him straight into Yr 1.