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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed that 30 h free childcare...

207 replies

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allgoodusernamesweretaken · 18/03/2023 15:34

StaryEyes1978 · 17/03/2023 07:29

30 hours free doesn’t apply for school hols so they don’t get august and only half of July.

Most of July. School doe s not end on 15th, more like 24th. And still April, May and June- so almost 4 months.

OP posts:
Original poster
Allgoodusernamesweretaken · 18/03/2023 15:35

pitterypattery00 · 16/03/2023 17:09

In our area there is no option to use a state nursery if you need child care because you work (unless you work very restricted hours) as they only take children from 2yrs, and are only open term time from 9 til 5. So private nursery (over £70 per day for 2 year old) is our only 'choice'. Our child is a May birthday, so like you OP we will have to wait til Sept for our 'free' hours (which actual cost £2 per free hour at our nursery).

This! School nurseries are rarer than hen's teeth, and opening hours would make it impossible for me to work at all. No choice, and still we are bound by the 'termly' nonsense...

OP posts:
Original poster
Allgoodusernamesweretaken · 18/03/2023 15:39

T1Dmama · 17/03/2023 22:41

Because it saves the government money… and in turn the tax payers.
I never got 30 hrs for my daughter, it was only 15 hours pw when she was 3.. I think we should all just be grateful we get any help.. my sisters only 5 years older than me and she didn’t get any help at all!

Show quote history

The fact it was worse in the past does not mean we should be satisfied with it now. I think a range of posters are just jaded they didnt get '30 free hours' in the past, so think w should just all think it's all OK.
The country needs both new babies being made and mothers going to work.
So let's stop the 'be grateful' crap. I would be more grateful if I wasn't 2400 out of pocket compared to friends who had babies a few weeks before :)

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 18/03/2023 16:36

@Allgoodusernamesweretaken school nurseries aren't childcare though. That's why they are only school hours and term time.

Original poster
Allgoodusernamesweretaken · 18/03/2023 18:18

Needmorelego · 18/03/2023 16:36

@Allgoodusernamesweretaken school nurseries aren't childcare though. That's why they are only school hours and term time.

An d I would not mind covering 30h during term time too for private nurseries.

OP posts:
Lili132 · 23/06/2023 21:51

Seasprayandsunshine · 16/03/2023 21:25

It’s ridiculous. I was seething about it. The adverts are all misleading. Hyping themselves up, being the most helpful government. People are paying £100 a day for childcare!

Yes there needs to be a cut off - MAKE IT AGE 3!

Then It will be fair to all.

If they sorted the bloody economy out, people wouldn’t need their fair weather offer of help!

If that makes you feel better Labour is actually against extending 30 free hours childcare at all and wants to give extra hours to people who don't work instead.

They could easily drop the whole idea altogether when they come to power or keep it only because they have no other choice.

Kazzyhoward · 24/06/2023 13:30

Lili132 · 23/06/2023 21:51

If that makes you feel better Labour is actually against extending 30 free hours childcare at all and wants to give extra hours to people who don't work instead.

They could easily drop the whole idea altogether when they come to power or keep it only because they have no other choice.

Show quote history

It's barmy to give more free childcare to those who don't work!

Surely it's the ones who DO work who need it so that they can work more hours, be more flexible to get better jobs, etc.

What are the "non workers" going to do with their time if their kids are in childcare more - watch more daytime TV, smoke more, and drink more lager??

It needs directing at people who can work more to get the economy moving again.

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