confused about free places for nursery

[dawn1967]

I would like my DC to attend local independent montessori school for which there is a termly fee at age of 2.5. When DC turns 3, do I have to continue to pay or do I get 15 hours free and then pay for any extra time? Thank you. Confused!

You should get the free hours entitlement provided that the nursery is registered with the scheme.

They should be able to tell you whether they are, and how it works, and from what date your DC will be eligible (I think it's age at start of a standard term, not actual birthday).

you will probably get a reduced rate from the term after the 3td birthday.

The "free" hours will be ring fenced at set session in most nurseries and then you pay for hours ouside those hours.

Each nursery can offer those hours to suit their best business need, it is not usually a free choice of when to have them.

I'm sure if you rang the school for a chat they'll give you info about how they work it, without obligation.

you don't get the free places till the term after he turns 3, so if his birthday is in june you won't get them until september. Different nurseries have different policies
one that does school hours will generally have two sessions a day of 3 hours each, you will get 5 free sessions but may have to pay a "voluntary contibution". one is mainly childcare will have a full day session of 10+ hours or two half day sessions of 5 hours each. Here if he does 5 mornings you will have to pay for 10 hours extra (the 25 hours of the session- the 15 free hours) even if you only put him in for 9-12, you will also have to pay for half term and holidays if the nursery is open then even if you don't send him there

Thank you, will ring the school for more information but that sounds very helpful. I would be looking at only 3 hours a day anyway, 9.15am-12.15pm. Does this mean that the place would be free? Thank you to all posters!

Not necessarily. They have to be approved by the LA (critieria would include being open for a minimum number of days per year and to have an Ofsted inspection) to qualify for Early Years funding. LA will know if they are on their list.

it will only be free if the morning sessions are 3 hours long, if the nursery opens at 7.30 you will need to pay more