nursery grant for 3 year olds

[IWannaBeLikeYou]

I remember reading in various places (including some threads here on MN) that 3 year old children are entitled to 12.5 hours a week for 38 weeks a year free preschool education.
Does it apply to all children regardless of family income, nursery they attend, etc.
My DS is almost 3 years old and I would like to know if we are entitled to this and how to apply. He goes to a private nursery full-time. I know the saving will not be huge, but "every little helps".
Any of you applied recently for something like this and how does it work?
Many thanks

Yes you will get it - one of very few things which is not means-tested

The nursery should do it for you - you just have to sign a form to confirm you are not claiming it anywhere else and they take it off your bill. As I recall, it starts the term after they turn 3.

I can't remember the exact amount, but DS was full time and it is definitely enough to make a difference.

They are entitled to it the term after their 3rd Birthday my dd was 3 in January and will get the funding from after Easter. She also goes to a private nursery and they give us forms when they are eligable for the funding and just knock the funding off the monthly invoice (that's what they did for ds anyway!)

thik it's worth around £8.13 a session

DS will be 3 in March. Does this mean he's supposed to get it from April? I haven't been given any forms ...
I should probably ask the nursery.

Yes Children born between 1 January and 31 March (inclusive) will be eligible to a free place 1 April following their third birthday.

info

it's normally the term after they are 3 iykwim, so for summer children,they'd be eligible from sept

I shall ask the nursery manager tomorrow.
I presume they should have applied by now if we are to get this from next month ???

Thanks for all the useful info.

sometimes it's done in a lump iykwim, done on headcounts every week/month so you may not see the difference straight away

it is from the academic term after they turn 3, I get £109 a month (I think) for each of my DTs, but I believe it varies from council to council - try your local council website, some of them have the info there, contact info at least

One thing to watch is that if a nursery is newly opened then they have to apply to be allowed to do it and they have to be open for 1 year before they can apply. At least that's the case up here in Scotland.