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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

30 free hours nursery for age 1 onwards

28 replies

ObamaLlamas · 15/03/2023 07:43

Excuse my ignorance but I've just seen this as a headline for the budget today.

If this goes ahead will it just be a proposal that doesn't actually kick in til 2030 or some nonsense.

Or will it actually be something that applies from now. Or only for those on universal credit?! I have a 1 year old with nursery fees that have just increased by £40 per month due to cost of living. I'd love any help I can get.

OP posts:
Twizbe · 15/03/2023 07:46

I don't think anyone knows that detail yet.

Also important is what level the central funding will be for this. It could be the final nail for some childcare providers. The funding they get for 3 and 4 year olds isn't enough to cover their costs and many rely on the higher paying younger children to break even.

AMistakePlusKeleven · 15/03/2023 07:51

Our nursery charges “top up” and chargeable extra fees at a third of the original cost. This will become more of the norm for childcare settings I think.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 15/03/2023 07:53

I don't know op but I sooo hope it's from April. We are crippled paying over 1k a month on nursery fees.

MichelleScarn · 15/03/2023 07:54

I don't think will be universal. Like up in Scotland you can get free childcare place from 2+ but only with hv referral as far as I know.

Brokeintopieces · 15/03/2023 07:54

No one knows yet 🤷🏼‍♀️

BernadetteIsMySister · 15/03/2023 07:55

Tune in at 12.15pm and watch the budget!

Pastadanca · 15/03/2023 07:55

It'll be interesting what is actually announced as I've read a few different possibilities. As the budget is centered around getting people back to work I imagine it'll be for everyone but also change 'the rules' for those on benefits and they'll have to apply for work before 3. I have read the funding from the gov will be raised but also that ratios will be lowered- so I'm not sure how that will solve the staffing issue; here you are, do more work for the same or a tiny tiny bit more pay. At the moment settings don't have to offer the 30 hours, as nurseries here are full to the brim with huge waiting lists I doubt they will as they don't need to to fill spaces. This is a bit late really, many settings have already folded and I doubt will reopen.

Not meaning to be negative, of course it's good but just wary as I doubt the gov has actually looked into the feasibility etc yet so wouldn't get excited. Sounds good though doesn't it!

Perfect28 · 15/03/2023 07:56

I think it's likely to be a promise for after the next election, to compete with labours pledge and knowing full well they won't get voted in again (surely, right?)

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 15/03/2023 07:57

Most nurseries charge top ups- I think it will cause a surge in demand and allow settings to put up prices- but ultimately cheaper for the parent. Win win!

GrasstrackGirl · 15/03/2023 07:58

It'll be from September 2024 and it'll result in a lot more settings shutting down unless they substantially increase the funding rate.

NoProbLlamaa · 15/03/2023 07:58

No one knows yet… but make no mistake this could cripple childcare settings. Many can’t afford to run on the measly hourly rate the government pay as it is.

I’m sure many rely on the younger children paying full fees to keep them going.

It could be disastrous for providers.

Twizbe · 15/03/2023 08:02

You can't actually charge top up fees.

What they can do is charge for any hours not covered by the funding. While it says 30 hours a week, it's not for 52 weeks of the year just 39. The 30 hours is basically the same as school time.

You can also charge for consumables like lunch, nappies, snacks etc.

So any setting that only offers 15 or 30 hours cannot afford to keep running as the funding from the government isn't enough to cover their costs.

Yoshithegreen · 15/03/2023 08:03

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 15/03/2023 07:57

Most nurseries charge top ups- I think it will cause a surge in demand and allow settings to put up prices- but ultimately cheaper for the parent. Win win!

@OnlyFoolsnMothers only issue with this is if it’s UC credit only or below 50k earners it will screw over the middle class. Like you said if they have to put up the prices but not everyone gets the free hours it’s going to interesting. Hoping it’s everyone gets the free hours with the same criteria as the current 30 free hours

Snowjokes · 15/03/2023 08:04

It’s not even been announced yet, no one knows!

I can’t imagine it coming in before September at the absolute earliest.

gemloving · 15/03/2023 08:15

September 2024. This is my own personal view but 1 year olds will only be for vulnerable families (I believe), the term after they turn 2, 30h free childcare hopefully.

whattodo8 · 15/03/2023 08:18

gemloving · 15/03/2023 08:15

September 2024. This is my own personal view but 1 year olds will only be for vulnerable families (I believe), the term after they turn 2, 30h free childcare hopefully.

Won't be this late. General election time. Too late to get into public favour by that point.

Canstartagaintomorrow · 15/03/2023 08:24

It’s impossible for any childcare setting to continue at the rates the local authorities offer for funded hours. If you want your nursery or childminder to stay afloat, if you want to actually have a nursery place - please anticipate and expect additional charges - otherwise many will not survive. To add insult to injury, the local authorities often do not even pay the funded hours on time and ensure settings have to jump through many hoops just to get their funding. It’s a total joke! Ex childminder here!

justpoppingtotheshops · 15/03/2023 09:53

I agree I'm expecting September 2024 so too late for my twins at £2k per month ouch - or it will be phased in over several years or extending to 2 years olds then 1 etc.
also expecting that many providers will refuse to offer the places - childminders especially don't have to offer funded places at all

justpoppingtotheshops · 15/03/2023 09:54

To add insult to injury, the local authorities often do not even pay the funded hours on time and ensure settings have to jump through many hoops just to get their funding.

Not my experience have to say.

My childminder for my eldest was paid for the whole term in advance

takealettermsjones · 15/03/2023 09:58

If it's means tested and the govt funding rate doesn't actually increase then this will be bad for me/my family, as I assume that the nursery will need to raise fees for fee-paying parents to cover the shortfall. I don't blame the nurseries and I absolutely support help for the lowest earners, but the "squeezed middle" is a worrying position to be in, even as I recognise the privilege of saying that.

Pearlygates · 15/03/2023 09:58

30 Hours free - You see this term is the problem. Nurseries have already said that the funding they receive for these so-called 30 "free hours" is just not enough hence why many of them have introduced a top up fees.

If the government are not willing to fund this correctly then I can't see it working and nurseries will just end up going under or just make everyone pay a surplus. I suppose it will still be cheaper for parents.

AnneLovesGilbert · 15/03/2023 09:59

No one knows yet but my nursery has emailed this morning asking parents to stop contacting them about it!

They’ve said people are requesting more hours already expecting them to be funded straight away and saying there is no waiting list.

They pointed out the hours for 3+ year olds aren’t fully funded, the new plans might not be either and the result could be crippling. They’ll be watching the budget, waiting for the detail, then starting a consultation with the LA and working out what it’ll mean.

These things take time.

PurBal · 15/03/2023 10:04

Normally commitments made in the budget are implemented in the upcoming financial year. But it’s just a rumour anyway, no such commitment has been made. The chancellor is giving the budget at lunch.

Brokeintopieces · 15/03/2023 10:12

AnneLovesGilbert · 15/03/2023 09:59

No one knows yet but my nursery has emailed this morning asking parents to stop contacting them about it!

They’ve said people are requesting more hours already expecting them to be funded straight away and saying there is no waiting list.

They pointed out the hours for 3+ year olds aren’t fully funded, the new plans might not be either and the result could be crippling. They’ll be watching the budget, waiting for the detail, then starting a consultation with the LA and working out what it’ll mean.

These things take time.

I had parents messaging last night before I’d even had chance to read the news. It’s crazy!

mswales · 15/03/2023 11:19

takealettermsjones · 15/03/2023 09:58

If it's means tested and the govt funding rate doesn't actually increase then this will be bad for me/my family, as I assume that the nursery will need to raise fees for fee-paying parents to cover the shortfall. I don't blame the nurseries and I absolutely support help for the lowest earners, but the "squeezed middle" is a worrying position to be in, even as I recognise the privilege of saying that.

Over 100k a year is not the squeezed middle!