Mumsnet Logo
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

NHS Coronavirus information. Information from gov.uk. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have health concerns, please seek medical attention.

Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.

Covid

My friend nursery says it's open to all those who receive 2 year old funding?

23 replies

sociallydistained · 21/03/2020 11:45

She has asked my thoughts on sending dc. Her ex partner wants child to go! They aren't keyworkers, child isn't vulnerable etc. The email just says just a reminder it is open to keyworker children and those who receive 2 year old funding.
Wtf??? Not even a notice about please keep at home if you possibly can and information about how to prevent the virus spreading etc. It also stated normal hours and days will be the same.

...I've obviously told my friend NO and stated why. She's practicing social distancing in every other aspect I don't know why you'd even consider it anyway. I'm wondering is there anywhere I can report this nursery?

OP posts:
Please
or
to access all these features

RoomR0613 · 21/03/2020 11:57

What are you reporting them for? Confused

Please
or
to access all these features

sociallydistained · 21/03/2020 12:02

Maybe I've jumped the gun a bit but it's totally irresponsible! My friend, on the guidance of that email thinks she can send her 2 year old in as she's been told days and hours are normal as she receives funding... she is a single parent but she isn't working she's perfectly able to look after him at home as she goes on the days he doesn't attend!!

Our nursery sent a detailed list out with links to all government guidelines and stated clearly please keep your child at home if you possibly can!

I know people need to use common sense but they bloody aren't and I'm so frustrated!

OP posts:
Please
or
to access all these features

stargirl1701 · 21/03/2020 12:05

I thought only vulnerable 2 year olds got funding. (Scotland)

Please
or
to access all these features

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 21/03/2020 12:06

Two year olds who receive funding by definition will fall in to that category.

Please
or
to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features

stargirl1701 · 21/03/2020 12:08

In my school, vulnerable children are REQUIRED to attend unless in the 14 days self isolation period.

Please
or
to access all these features

Greendin · 21/03/2020 12:15

Two year funding is only given to vulnerable children - those in foster care or under the care of social services. They are children who benefit from getting out of the house every day (maybe the parents don't play with them or give them attention, maybe the parents need the break). For some of these children nursery is the only place they get a proper meal or their teeth cleaned.

There must be a reason that your friend hasn't told you why her child gets a place. She may find she doesn't have a choice but to send them.

Please
or
to access all these features

BuffaloCauliflower · 21/03/2020 12:17

The only 2 year olds who get funding are those considered vulnerable, otherwise it’s not till 3. If she’s getting funding for her 2 year old it’s cause they’re considered vulnerable

Please
or
to access all these features

oncemorewithfeeling99 · 21/03/2020 12:18

It’s not true to say all 2 year old funded children are vulnerable. They may just be poor which doesn’t by any means they are automatically at risk in the safeguarding sense. However it’s probably just the easiest way of doing it with the zero time to implement a policy. Since children who are under social services in some way will also have two year old funding.

Please
or
to access all these features

oncemorewithfeeling99 · 21/03/2020 12:19

I agree with OP that if you can you should always keep them at home whatever your job or circumstances.

Please
or
to access all these features

oncemorewithfeeling99 · 21/03/2020 12:19

Give the nursery a break though. They are trying to do the right thing with very limited guidance.

Please
or
to access all these features

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 21/03/2020 12:20

Well vulnerable also doesn’t mean at risk in terms of safeguarding. Being poor will make them vulnerable with not enough food, warmth, resources etc.

Please
or
to access all these features

oncemorewithfeeling99 · 21/03/2020 12:21

Thinking about it, two year old funding includes meals. So that’s probably why as they won’t get the FSM food vouchers. Ask you friend for supermarket vouchers in lieu of food at nursery and to keep home.

Please
or
to access all these features

stargirl1701 · 21/03/2020 12:45

Vulnerable is not just child protection. It includes the poorest households whose children experience poverty which makes them vulnerable.

Please
or
to access all these features

sociallydistained · 21/03/2020 14:07

I think my friend has her information incorrect re her child's funding then? He is certainly not vulnerable!

OP posts:
Please
or
to access all these features

sociallydistained · 21/03/2020 14:09

Is 3 next month. She obviously has some sort of funding for him but his dad has a good job pays full maintenance and has him every other weekend. The kid doesn't want for anything and they are not poor but she doesn't work so who knows. I've told her my stance and said he and her are safer at home. I hope she listens.

OP posts:
Please
or
to access all these features

sociallydistained · 21/03/2020 14:10

He also goes 3 mornings a week and doesn't have lunch (or breakfast) there so I'm baffled re: food

OP posts:
Please
or
to access all these features

WooYa · 21/03/2020 14:13

Most funded 2 year old places in my nursery are simply because their parent/carer earns under a certain amount or dont work. My own DS recieves 2 year funding, yet I work 4 days a week and he is far from vulnerable.

Please
or
to access all these features

Isawthathaggis · 21/03/2020 14:18

As others have said OP, your friends child is better off out of the house, he is vulnerable, he qualifies for a nursery place aged two.

They don’t hand these places to anyone.

I wouldn’t consider him to be safer at home at all. You are wrong and you should keep your beak out.

Please
or
to access all these features

Waxonwaxoff0 · 21/03/2020 14:20

As others have said, the 2 year funding is in place for parents who are on a low income and claiming certain benefits. They are classed as vulnerable children. Therefore the nursery isn't doing anything wrong.

Please
or
to access all these features

Waxonwaxoff0 · 21/03/2020 14:22

She isn't working so she will be on benefits, that's why she gets the funding. I got it when my DS was 2 as I was in the same situation. Doesn't make any difference how much maintenance she gets at that isn't means tested.

Please
or
to access all these features

LisaSimpsonsbff · 21/03/2020 14:26

I think a lot of people don't realise what the two year old funding is for - and they perhaps deliberately don't publicise it because then there might be some stigma to it. It's not there to enable parents to work, like the 3 year old 30 hour funding is. It's for children in groups identified as being at higher risk of starting school behind - which includes those with parents on a low income or from workless households, but it's a risk not a certainty - to try and close that educational gap. They are, on some level, saying that those are children who benefit from being somewhere other than home for some of their time.

Please
or
to access all these features

Mrsdoubtfireswig · 21/03/2020 14:33

2 year old funding is not just given to vulnerable children, it’s given to children who’s parents are on very low income / certain benefits and also children who have been adopted (so yes previously vulnerable but no longer under any form of ss care / intervention when adoption order granted)

Regardless though they shouldn’t be attending unless parent is a key worker and there are is no other appropriate childcare

Please
or
to access all these features
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Sign up to continue reading

Mumsnet's better when you're logged in. You can customise your experience and access way more features like messaging, watch and hide threads, voting and much more.

Already signed up?