Can someone explain how the 15 free hours work?

[Treesandbees]

My DS is at a private nursery and when I asked about this they said that we would only get 32 weeks of 15 free hours which they averaged out across 51 weeks. This is because state nurseries only give you the hours in term time. Is this right?

The principal is correct in that the 15 hours only applies to term time but that works out as 39 weeks a year not 32.

It's 38 weeks x 15 hours but can be averaged out over the whole year if they wish.

Ours was averaged out over the year. Am currently skint so Ds only goes in term time - therefore I no longer get bills.

If I want to put him in for a random day, they charge me for that day.

Thanks for the clarity! Not going to get as much of a reduction as I was hoping !!

All 3 and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 570 hours of free early education or childcare a year. This is often taken as 15 hours each week for 38 weeks of the year. Some 2-year-olds are also eligible.

You can start claiming after your child turns 3. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.

www.gov.uk/free-early-education

Still, it's better than a poke in the eye!