How the 30 hours can be used

[Confusedmum29]

My little one (3) has got 30hours funded. I am paying a lot more with 30 than the 15 cost me. Almost double. I’ve wondered for quite a while now if it’s right, but didn’t want to cause hassle at nursery. The hours are spread for school holidays so she gets 22 a week instead of 30, but They are claiming 11 hours for 2 of the days that’s little one does 7 hours on as well as charging a top up to make up the rest of their fees for them days and then charging me for the following other days. Little one only does 35 hours a week.

I am wondering are they allowed to make up how they use the hours to match their fees how they have because I am debating withdrawing little one if it is the case and starting her a different one.

That doesn’t sound right. I’d speak to nursery and if you don’t get a satisfactory answer, your local authority funding team should be able to investigate for you.

Our nursery here use the funding as 22.5 hours per week all through the year - term time only is not offered as an option.

This is split 8.30-5.30 for a full day (9 hours) and either 8.30-1 or 1-5.30 for a half day (4.5 hours). So the funded hours equate to 2.5 days essentially, all through the year.

If you need earlier or later (i.e. drop off before 8.30 or pick up after 5.30, for example) you have to pay those hours as additional "wraparound".