Childminder and nurseries open 51 weeks a year! Is this a fairytale?

[goforit99]

My 2.5 year old is eligible for the 15hr free childcare for 2-3 year olds. When I signed the contract for this, I was advised by the body that organises these hours and pays the childminders, the if I take 11hrs per week, I will get 51 weeks of childcare (instead of 15 hrs over 38 weeks) meaning my daughter will be covered during half-term, summer hols etc..
i explained this to the childminder but I found that she tends to take a couple of weeks hold here and there so I’m wondering where are my hours going as she doesn’t make them up! I am struggling to find any childminders or nurseries that are open throughout the year! I am starting full-time work soon and will be topping your after the 11hrs but I don’t know what to do when nurseries/childminders are away. I am a solo-parent and don’t have the privilege of grandparents or other members that can assist.

any advise? What do those in the same situation do? I will probably have holidays to take but is that the only solution?

I’ve never come across this.

I’ve never come across this! I used to use Busy Bees and they didn’t shut except Christmas. Neither does my childminder although she will take 1-2 weeks holiday as agreed with us.

This was a big part of the reason we went nursery over CM for my children, my children's nursery shuts for a week over Christmas but is open the remainder of the year other than bank holidays.

Really? all the day nurseries in my town open all year round. Preschools are different- they do school term times.

Child minders take holidays, just take the 15 hour/38 week option and pay for the holidays

@yougotthelook just to add in case someone reads this. If you are entitled to 15hrs of free childcare and you start working after you are accepted(as is the case for many parents), that entitlement does not stop, you are still eligible for it. It’s only when you are eligible for the 30hrs government funded hours(term after child turns 3), that wages, work etc comes into the story.

I work in a Nursery, have done for years and years and I've known a private day nursery that isn't open all year round, in fact we have 6 in our area that dont even close the week between Christmas and New year.

Childminders work solo and have to take annual leave so will close which is absolutely fair.

Check your local Gov website, childcare.co.uk or daynurseries.uk.

Oh and the hours arent free, they are funded

Even if your childminder/nursery is not open you will not lose the hours as you will just get more hours per week. I am a childminder and open 46 weeks a year. My parents get 12 hours per week. They also do not pay for childcare when I am not available to work so are able to use this money to pay for additional childcare.

There are a number of providers that will open 51 weeks a year but you are probably better off looking at nursery chains as opposed to a chidminder as A childminder will need to factor in their own holidays into their opening hours.

Can I just say however, these hours are not free they are funded hours. Most providers, whether nursery or childminder, are providing these hours at a loss. The rate I am paid for the children who claim funding is alot lower than my hourly rate.

Thanks! I didn't know this...probably because I've never taken on a two yr old on the funding!
Cheers xx

If you're in London, look at koru kids. They have childminders/home nursery. On days the childminder is sick etc, koru kids provide emergency back care with a nanny