Nursery wanting 3 full days

[Findingthisdifficult1234]

I’ve just looked around a nyrsery this morning for my daughter to go to. She is currently at preschool two mornings a week but my sister used this nursery and as I’m looking at trying to go back to work at some point in the daytime (rather than just evenings) I thought I’d have a look at the nursery to see what it’s like etc.
Anyway- my daughter absolutely loved it this morning and wanted to stay and play etc. It seemed a lot better than the preschool she currently is at.
When I asked about hours they weren’t keen on her doing 2 mornings a week or even 2 days but want her to do 3 full days . Thing is my part time eve job is only 12 hours a week and I think the nursery think she will get 30 free hours as I said I worked and so they’ve said when she starts sept she will get 30 free hours but I’m sure that’s only if you work 16 or more hours.
Is this why the nursery want her for 3 full days? As I’d rather just send her for 2 or 3 mornings a week 8-1 come September but they said had to be full days. I’m confused, I need to phone them back and clarify but I’m worried I’ll lose her place if I say I don’t actually get 30 hours funding. It’s a popular nursery.

[PalePinkSwan]

Check the criteria for the 30 hours - I think the point is you have to earn as much as you would earn if you worked 16 hours at national minimum wage. So if you are earning more than that per hour, your 12 hour a week job may qualify you.

So check the criteria then phone back to clarify.

It may also be that they only want to take children for 3 days a week, some nurseries just have that minimum.

[Findingthisdifficult1234]

I earn £8 per hour- I’ve been trying to google it but I don’t understand. So I have to earn over a certain amount to qualify?

[PalePinkSwan]

You and your partner each need to be earning at least £125.28 a week (I’m assuming you’re over 25 - if you’re younger then the figure is lower), but less than £100k (each) a year.

Assuming you’re both between those figures you should get the 30 hours.

[PalePinkSwan]

So I think you don’t earn enough, but could you increase your hours if you have the childcare?

[moreismore]

I would think it’s more likely they just have minimum hours (perhaps as half days are harder for them to fill?) They’ll actually earn more from you if you’re not using the 30hrs...

[Findingthisdifficult1234]

Ok thanks for replies. I will try to increase my evening hours so they add up to 16 hours. But do you think the nursery will still accept even if I can only use 15 free hours? And then I just pay the rest?

[PalePinkSwan]

No way to tell I’m afraid - some nurseries really want the 3 days as a minimum. It’s easier for them to have a smaller number of children there for more days (rather than lots of different children for short periods).

[gingerbreadbiscuits]

Remember th

[notdaddycool]

You can also negotiate days. Ours is nearly empty on Fridays and not very full on Thurs. they may be more flexible on hard to fill days.