Government contribution to nursery fees.....questions?

[robin3]

Does it start at the age of 3 years?
Is it means tested?
Is it a set amount per child? If so how much?
Does it matter what kind of nursery care it is?
How long does it go on for?

Just trying to budget for a new house and not sure how all of this works.

Thanks for any assistance.

MY three year old son is entitled to 5 21/2 sessions a week which works out he is there from 8:45 to 11:15am. It starts following the term they turn three so for example if they are three in july they will start in the september. hth

Sorry that should read 5, 2 and a half hour sessions

So Pepper....does that mean the government pay for all costs for that time irrespective of the kind of daycare/nursery you choose?

Does that continue until your child starts school?
Was that means tested or does every child get a contribution?

Not means tested -it's for all! It's just under £8 for 2 1/2 hours a day at the mo but they say it'll go up to cover 3 hours a day. Therefore it'll cover a preschool session but if they are in nursery for longer you pay for the extra hours. HTH

The nursery has to be government approved and doesnt apply to childminders i dont think.

Ds's nursery told me on friday that the government now pays £40 per week for this funding.

Ds was 4 in april and starts school in Sept.

I chose the nursery closest to me (although it isn't a private nursery) i'm pretty sure it goes for private nurseries provided they are on the scheme. I had no problem getting my ds there just called them up, there were no questions just had to take a copy of his birth certificate up to the nursery along with I.D for myself. I'll see if i can find a link now for you

Sorry being thick....

So if DS goes to nursery 5 mornings a week from 0900 - 1200 (which is what we are looking at) from the age of 3 years old, the government will reduce our fees by making a contribution of £40 a week?

Can't find anything about it on local government websites.

How old is he?

He'll be three in Jan which is when he'd start.

Yes he will get the contribution the term after he is 3. Therefore if his birthday is mid term he gets the funding from the beginning of the following term. What month will he be 3?

He'll get the funding from the April then

Thanks everyone.

The funding (from the LEA so you should find details on their website) is from the term after he turns 3(ie post easter in your ds' case) until he starts state school, or until he has turned 5 at a participating private school. Won't necessarily be £40 a week as it done by the number of timed sessions - up to 5 per week - and charges would vary , also think it is capped at a maximum cost per session and is limited to LEA termtime - so won't necessarily apply for every week a day nursery is open. To qualify the preschool/nursery/childcare needs to be Ofsted approved and operate for a certain number of weeks per year. The nursery (or setting) makes the application and you get either a rebate at the end of term or reduced fee.

hth

Hi, Accredited childminders get the funding. I am an accredited childminder and I am funded for two of the children I childmind. It is available for up to 65 sessions per term now. I have just claimed for the funding for both mine for this term.

Not means tested. Starts term after they are 3 years. Entitled to up to 5 x 2.5 hour sessions a week. Can be done in state nursery or in private day nurseries, although you may have to pay towards this too as some private nurseries don't accept childrne for just the 2.5 hour sessions or just for term time. Lasts until they go to school. In DD's case we get the nursery vouchers knocked off the cost of DD's school fees until the term she turns 5.