To not want to spend my child's DLA on extra days in nursery?

[ShinyRedShoe]

On the provision that he is awarded in the first place that is.

He'll be turning three in January and has just received a diagnosis of autism. I have been encouraged by his nursery to apply for DLA which I plan to do, I'm just compiling all of his medical evidence and gathering letters for the application at the minute.

The nursery manager thinks it would be a good idea to use the (hypothetical at the moment) DLA money on extra days in nursery as she thinks it'll be good for him.

He currently receives the government 15 free hours funding and attends two days per week, I only work part time so I don't need the extra days childcare.

They keep chasing me up about it and asking if I've sent the application or heard anything back yet.

If DS awarded then I think I'd like to use the money on other things such as a safer sleeping bed, sensory items for the home and to make adaptations where I can to make life easier and more enjoyable for him.

AIBU to not want to use DLA to pay for additional childcare or do you think I should?

[NaturalBigDarkBrows]

@ArnoldBee
You can't get the mobility component of DLA under 3 but you can get the care component

[Lovemusic33]

Dd was at nursery a long time ago now but was entitled to extra hours because she had sn’s/DLA.

Anyway, you can use the money for nursery as it’s something that will benefit your ds.

Ignore the people saying you might not get DLA, it’s very likely you will get it especially if your ds is in a sn nursery setting. We didn’t find it hard to get for either dc, one was in ms and one in sn nursery then sn school. We use the money for all sorts of things including days out, clothes, holidays and sensory equipment.

[mumwon]

OP DO NOT send off original forms - they can get lost
OK a little help/advice here when filling in form:
fill in every question do it in rough (I copied the questions on to my computer & than wrote FULL answers - advice I was given was that you should be as thorough as you can & include everything. Write down examples of difficulty (I put letters on each form/letter & page numbers so I cross referred these situations/examples to the thing the consultant/expert mention) If you have other experts involved & that does include the Nursery put them down as references & ask them for any reports (you can include copies of emails where they suggest training like the Makaton) keep a log of of daily issues both social developmental & physical. mention the bed & any safety issues start making notes now - I suggest doing on computer in bullet points its easier to expand & put in order (I use to do essays that way!)
I hope that helps & contact the NAS - look on their website & see if there is any local support

[EveryDayIsADuvetDay]

aaaawwww, sweet.... And you thought the Nursery Manager was being altruistic encouraging you to apply

[mumwon]

ps some of the bets money I spent (whilst working) was on a private speech therapist for a couple of months (& a neurological physiotherapist dd had Dyspraxia she helped with games to develop fine & gross motor control & strength )
We couldn't get this on the NHS & it really helped - speech therapist helped with her social communication

[mumwon]

doh best money!

[widdershin]

If you receive DLA the nursery can apply for DAF - disability access fund. It's a one off payment of about £600 and should be spent on equipment or training to directly support your child.

[MissJeanLouise]

I’m no expert on dla so can’t help with that, but you sound like you’re doing everything you can to support your son, so don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re not because you’re not following their ideas - yes, of course we should listen to medical and education professionals (I work in education), but you are the best person to know how to help your son.
As an aside, if you can start to learn makaton, I really recommend it; I’ve used it in a professional setting, and using enhanced communication alongside speech can make such a difference. If you’re on Facebook, here’s a link to a group called ask a makaton tutor, and it’s really helpful. Many are running online (zoom) courses, and you could maybe find one at a time that suits.
www.facebook.com/groups/4832066543/?ref=share

[widdershin]

In fact if they got DAF for him it could potentially be spent on SALT if that is the priority for him.

[Snozzlemaid]

Two year olds can definitely get DLA.
If you do get awarded DLA for your ds you can then get 15 hours, 2 year old funding for the spring term. You would need to apply through your LA for that.
You will then get 15 hours from April and 30 hours if you're both working and earn within the thresholds. Full info can be found here www.childcarechoices.co.uk
When he begins to get 3 year old funding, if he has DLA, the nursery can also claim for a Disability Access Funding (DAF) payment. They will get £615 as a one off payment paid yearly.

[Snozzlemaid]

Sorry wrong link www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

[Waveysnail]

Perhaps every every morning or afternoon might be beneficial to DC once 30 hours comes through. Intervention is vital at this age. Have a look at the book 'the incredible years'. I'm doing online.course at the moment for it as have 3 sen kids and I'm finding it great
www.incredibleyears.com

[lesleyashfishlips]

Are they actually a SEN independent nursery, or are they a nursery that pays lip service to being a SEND nursery?

Most, if not all SEND settings that I have had dealings with know exactly what the score is with local waiting times. And usually know exactly who the local SALT/paediatrician is and have their email address.
Also, are they aware of exactly how much DLA is. LRC is £23 a week, MRC is £59 and HRC is £89 a week. Anything on planet SEND is usually £££ so how many extra sessions do they think you will be paying for?

DS used makaton when he was younger. To be honest, even though I have done all the makaton courses, I actually learned more from Mr Tumble than anywhere else- because Mr T uses the signs in context. There is also loads on youtube as well and it's really easy to pick up. Who is running the Makaton session? Is it the nursery itself (another way for them to make money??), or is it a outside provider?

About the bed, dont use your DLA on it. Providing you have someone to endorse the application, it's possible to get charity funding. Newlife, cerebra, boparan, wipe away the tears, local lions/rotary and if either you or your husband have a charity associated with your work then all will fund.
Newlife also have an emergency loan scheme and can get equipment to you very quickly if you need it desperately

[WellTidy]

We got middle rate DLA for DS when he was 3 and 4 months old. He didn’t have an ASD diagnosis then. I think they awarded it for two years, and then we reapplied, and got it for five years, or something like that.

The cerebra guide referred to upthread is excellent.

You should fill in the form based on a bad day, not based on average days, or on good days. As in bad days, he will need the extra care/input.

Good luck with it, and please put a generous amount of time aside. I am used to
Form filling and procedure and things like that, and it still took me nearly two days to complete the form and get everything together. It was also exhausting, and demoralising, as it is very very repetitive and you are constantly talking about and itemising what your child cannot do or manage.

[MummmyDayCareNameChangeAGAIN]

You should get someone (professional) to help fill it out for you. Someone helped me do this, my daughter was 2 and she thought my daughter might only get the lowest band but turns out she gets the middle.

Also, you are entitled to 30 free hours if you are a single working mum. My friend gets it for her child.
Good luck.

P.S don't spend it on the nursery if you don't want too.

[Oblomov20]

It's none of her business how you spend the DLA. Spend it as you see fit.

[Crunchymum]

How long has he been at the nursery @ShinyRedShoe

[BessieSurtees]

You do not need DLA to apply for the 30 hours childcare, and as a pp said this can start the term after his 3rd birthday.

The nursery should be concentrating on starting the EHCP not asking for your DLA, although it is good that they signposted you, many nurserys do not.

DLA is not hard to get for a non verbal child age 30 months or 3 years old so long as you fill the form in correctly. You do not want to be ticking that he can make his needs known or his speech is coming on great. Not because it isn't but in the context of DLA if he is non verbal he must need extra help with communication.

If you are giving him options and he chooses, that counts as help. Does he point, take your hand, make noises or use signs that you recognise? Do you often guess or pre empt what he wants because you know him so well? That all counts as help. How does he communicate with other adults and children? Can he independantly understand instruction, does he repeat or copy words rather than make a sentence? When he speaks is it in context?

Is he difficult to settle, can he tell you how he is feeling, why he is distressed, can he understand your response? How is his toileting, does he have routines, what extra help does he have in nursery?

Unfortunately DLA focuses on all of the negative aspects, while as parents, rightly so, we focus on the positive. This is not a bad thing but sometimes as parents we do not realise the extra help that we give our child compared to another child of the same age.

[Lavanderrose]

It depends on what they are doing with your child in nursery. Not long ago I worked with an absolutely amazing nursery Senco who really made a difference to the special needs children she supported. The difference in their learning and development by the end of the year was incredible to see.

[nannynick]

I would look at what else the DLA can be used towards, such as respite care and 1:1 personal assistant/care. His needs will change over a period of time, more nursery sessions may be useful but he may feel overwhelmed in a group setting. He may prefer having more time with you or he may want to do things that someone else could take him to. I take a child a little bit older out of walks in the countryside as his 1:1 personal assistant. It gives him what he likes - muddy puddles, quietness of the countryside, seeing animals, being in nature whilst giving his parents some time when with their other children. DLA can be used towards various things which benefit the child, so consider what he wants, what he would benefit from. That may well be more sessions at nursery but it may not be.

[dairyfairies]

my thoughts on that (I have a DD with severe Asd diagnised at 3 too).

1. you have not even applied for DLA. There is a helluva difference between applying and getting it for a 3 year old with autism. We applied when DD was three and were turned down (according to DLA she had no extra needs). It took a mandatory reconsideration and appeal to get it. Took almost 9 months in total and is pretty common. At present, you don't have money to spend and that may not change for a looooong while
   
   
2. Dont discuss finances with everybody... this just leads to situations like that
   
   
3. if he is already 3 days in nursery, extra time will not help. if nursery would be a cure for autism, then there wouldn't be older kids and ASD around.
   
   
4. At his age and with his needs, he will benefit far more from a 1:1 home setting
   
   
5. she is a nursery manager. Not and autism expert, not a therapist, not a doctor. Her specialist area is keeping a business afloat. take the hint
   
   
6. why do you feel so much unter pressure from her suggestion. It is just your call..

[dairyfairies]

They keep chasing me up about it and asking if I've sent the application or heard anything back yet.

just tell them you won't send him extra hours and ask them to stop bothering you. that is very unprofessional and it is none of their business.

or say you applied and tell them in a few weeks you were turned down. or change nursery.

[lockeddownandcrazy]

They want the business - but you need to stand firm and do what is best for your child. That is probably not extra nursery time.

[Boop79]

It’s not up to nursery staff to decide you spent it on! However, I do agree that upping his hours could benefit but that choice is yours of course.

Has an EHCP been mentioned? The process can take a while but it means your child will be entitled to extra funding within a nursery setting and when they go to school which may benefits.

[2bazookas]

You're his mother, you know best .

Making his home safe , comfy and interesting are longterm benefits that improve home life for everyone, so surely a good investment.

This age is such a precious stage in any child's life ,it's gone all too soon, and you'll never get it back. After 5 he'll be in fulltime school anyway. If you and he are happy with the current arrangement, stick with it for now. Maybe in a year he'll want more time in nursery; but there's no need to decide that now. It will keep.