Page 4 | To be annoyed that 30 h free childcare...

Sugargliderwombat · 15/03/2023 13:02

Allgoodusernamesweretaken · 15/03/2023 11:47

Incorrect though, as most nurseries take kids the whole year round (around here at least)- my elder started in early December and the other in May.
Anyways, nursery intake times have nothing to do with it as the payments come via government, and the children are there already, so they dont have to calculate any numbers nor availability.

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Yes they take them, but obviously most start when it's free don't they?

Bellefastgrl · 15/03/2023 13:02

In Northern Ireland we get a big fat 0 hours. I get your frustration, but any help is good.

Sugargliderwombat · 15/03/2023 13:03

Sugargliderwombat · 15/03/2023 13:02

Yes they take them, but obviously most start when it's free don't they?

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Sorry just reread and no they aren't already there, thousands are with grandparents, parents or Childminders until the free hours start.

Conkersinautumn · 15/03/2023 13:05

I still don't see the point in 8ncreasing childcare for pre schoolers when there's still sweet fa available for the summer holidays. Unlike MPs my job expects me to be in work for summer what are parents of school age children supposed to do? Nannies don't want to only be employed for a month.

Needmorelego · 15/03/2023 13:07

@Babybab the "term after" thing is really outdated now. It used to be that Sept - Easter born children could leave school at Easter. So in theory they started earlier so could leave earlier and the amount of schooling that children recieved would even out. But this is a really old leftover from children left school at 14 and didn't take national exams.
"Easter Leavers" were phased out in the very early 90s.

Clioma · 15/03/2023 13:10

Kazzyhoward · 15/03/2023 11:47

There has to be a cut off. That's life. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

The sooner we all learn life isn't fair, the better. As there's no point dwelling on things that don't work out for you.

Remember the saying, change the things you can, accept the things you can't, and learn to know the difference!

There are cut-offs, etc in all walks of life.

If you feel strongly about it, then write to your MP, not a bunch of random strangers on the internet.

This is a very wise lesson to apply to life in general.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 15/03/2023 13:11

So I feel like I have every right to feel salty.

Maybe be thankful that you get any free childcare at all.

Vetrep · 15/03/2023 13:13

You are unbelievable!
When I decided to have children I knew it would come with responsibilities and sacrifice. The only help was Child Allowance.
Now you expect 'the Government' to provide everything from food to childcare to after school clubs to school uniforms.
Except it isn't really the government, it is all of us, whether we have kids or not.

Albiboba · 15/03/2023 13:16

Vetrep · 15/03/2023 13:13

You are unbelievable!
When I decided to have children I knew it would come with responsibilities and sacrifice. The only help was Child Allowance.
Now you expect 'the Government' to provide everything from food to childcare to after school clubs to school uniforms.
Except it isn't really the government, it is all of us, whether we have kids or not.

You are unbelievable! Taking that state pension that we are all paying for!
Expecting ‘the government’ to pay for your heating allowance, free travel, monthly pension and social care.
What about sacrifice and personal responsibility? Pay for it all yourself!

Vetrep · 15/03/2023 13:18

I paid for my state pension for over 40 years thank you.

Casdentwo · 15/03/2023 13:19

I know I will be shot down as behind the times...but we never had "free childcare " we didn't use expensive nurseries we had a local community network. The parents we met at anti natal became our friends our children benefited from each other and yes we still went to work. But we helped each other maybe some old fashioned elements weren't so bad

Ohhmydays · 15/03/2023 13:21

WorkOfTheDevil · 15/03/2023 11:30

Funded nursery in Scotland is the same. They get it from the term after they turn 3. So some kids get 2 full years at nursery due to their birthdays and my child gets 14 months before ages dude to trot off to school with them!

I've deferred her starting school until next year, to make it more equitable for her and give her more experiences before she starts school. But I think it's terrible to be honest.

@WorkOfTheDevil i live in Scotland as well but i think this might depend on your council area. When my older son was at nursery he started the monday after he turned 3, born november. I stay in a different area now my ds2 was 3 in august and started a month after.

Albiboba · 15/03/2023 13:23

Vetrep · 15/03/2023 13:18

I paid for my state pension for over 40 years thank you.

And working parents currently pay 2 lots of tax.

So you’re happy to take from the government when it suits you, but as long as it doesn’t benefit anyone else?

WorkOfTheDevil · 15/03/2023 13:26

Ohhmydays · 15/03/2023 13:21

@WorkOfTheDevil i live in Scotland as well but i think this might depend on your council area. When my older son was at nursery he started the monday after he turned 3, born november. I stay in a different area now my ds2 was 3 in august and started a month after.

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Ah OK! I stay in Fife and it's the council policy here to start the term after the 3rd birthday. My daughter was 3 at very beginning of January but had to wait until April to start.

The way your area does it definitely sounds a lot better!

LoopyGremlin · 15/03/2023 13:27

randomsabreuse · 15/03/2023 13:01

In Scotland the funding is from the day after they turn 3... so it absolutely could be done... Yep, sucks and the younger kids get less time in nursery in preparation for school than the older kids too!

I don't believe that's the case in all local authorities.

LoopyGremlin · 15/03/2023 13:29

In Edinburgh it definitely starts the term after they turn 3.

To be annoyed that 30 h free childcare...

Rupiduti · 15/03/2023 13:32

Babybab · 15/03/2023 12:48

I was always annoyed, that parents of September borns got 2 years funded nursery, whereas august borns got only 1 year. If it’s really early education as they say, why was it not funded from say 2 years before they start school. Also pre schools especially seem to be empty under spring/summer terms, despite most of the children starting school together.

I get what you mean but you could look at it this way.

Child A born end of August - say they start in childcare at 1yr then parents pay for childcare
1- 2 Yr
2 - 3 Yr
3- 4 Yr- funded hours but they have to top up
4 Yr- start school

Child B born start of September - say they start in childcare at 1 Yr then parents pay for childcare
1- 2 Yr
2 - 3 Yr
3 - 4 Yr funded hours but they have to top up
4 - 5 Yr funded hours but they have to top up

So actually you having a younger child is not worse off. You still pay for the exact same amount of childcare. And in fact, those that get 2 years of 'free childcare' are worse off. Because they actually aren't getting free childcare but 'funded' childcare. Therefore most settings ask for a top up fee!

JudgeRudy · 15/03/2023 13:34

I guess it's just 'unfortunate' how your child's birthday fell. Either way each child (in England) will get pretty much the same amount of free nursery and schooling.
I know friends who are expecting a child 2nd September. One parent is hoping it doesn't come early so he'll be youngest in class. The other hopes he does as he'll get to school a year early.
I can't think of another practical way to manage this.

Cap89 · 15/03/2023 13:40

Guys, pay attention to the budget. They have literally JUST announced that the 30 hours is going to start from 9 months. Won’t begin immediately, but will be pretty soon. So very soon this will not be an issue. Can’t quite believe it tbh, but the government have FINALLY realised there needs to be more support.

Dibblydoodahdah · 15/03/2023 13:40

@Vetrep no you didn’t pay for your state pension. You paid for the pensions of pensioners at the time you were working. That’s how it works. Most people don’t pay in as much as they take out because the pensions you were funding were lower in value than the pensions of today. I bet you’ll take your ten per cent increase this year that I am paying for!!!

Paturday · 15/03/2023 13:41

Allgoodusernamesweretaken · 15/03/2023 10:19

...starts the whole term AFTER the child hits 3 yo. My son missed the deadline for next term by 5 days, and so we have to wait until September to be able to access the 30 free hours. Parents of a kid born 5 days before will get the 30 free hours in April, May, June, July and August, although they will go to school at the same time...
Just a mnini rant, I thought it was the following month and just realised it,s the whole 5 extra months of massive payments for the nursery.

April 1st here 😄 so missed by a day.

Trustfallbaby · 15/03/2023 13:42

Both my children missed the cut off point too. So I just paid for one term each and the next term was funded.

Fandangoes · 15/03/2023 13:43

any idea when this will come into effect? Is it straight away?

Arewerrallydoingthisnow · 15/03/2023 13:44

15 hours next April and 30 from set 2024 so no not for some time. And I expect nurseries will whack up prices asap to help give them a buffer!!

Scottishgirl85 · 15/03/2023 13:45

Anyone know what will happen to the 15 free hours? We don't qualify for 30 free hours due to salaries.