Is it possible to do the 30 free hours split between two providers but over 38 and 52 weeks?

[bumblingabout]

Apologies for the long subject line 😅🙈 but I’m super confused and waiting to hear back from the nursery providers but I was wondering if it’s possible to have one provider offer 38 weeks a year and the 2nd nursery offer 52 weeks a year but the overall total hours claimed by us will still be 1140 hours a year or less. Hope that makes sense 😬

Our toddler attends a nursery 2 days a week and we were hoping to add an extra day from the term he is eligible for 30 free hours a week. Unfortunately his current nursery has no extra days available so we are hoping to send him to another lovely nursery for the extra day. He’s a very happy secure boy and honestly LOVES nursery ☺️ So we know he’ll be just as happy here with some of his close friends already attending. Wondering if anyone else has been in the same situation and could let me know how best to fill out this form 🙈 thanks guys x

Hi, it will depend on what your local authority allow but generally no as both providers either have to offer you the stretched offer ( less hours a week spread over the year or a term time only contract) You can not bank hours from one term and use in another term.

I do this. My nursery only offers the hours over 38 weeks so I have to pay for holidays, but my kids also go to a childminder 1 day a week who does stretched hours. On the form I fill out I think I have to say who gets the universal 15 hours and who gets the extended 15 hours and my arrangement splits quite well between this. It might be trickier if it’s not so equal due to how the providers claim the money.

How many hours will your DC be having at each place? Mine does 15 at the term time provider and 10 at the stretched one.

I did this. Dd did 12 hours year round at nursery, and 8 term time only at preschool. You need to fill in the form and get both settings to verify it I think.

My LA insist the claim is either all term time or all stretched so we couldn't do this.

It very much depends on your local authority. In mine, you can have a term time claim and stretched claim no problems. (it's a massive pita to work it out for the providers, but it can be done).