Free hours at 3

[tinyhappyaliens]

Not sure if this is the right place or not but I'm hoping someone can help me work out what hours I get!

My DS is currently 18 months and currently goes to a childminder two days a week. Me and my fiancé (DS dad) both work full time and don't receive any benefits of any kind.

DS turns 3 in August 2021 and I am wanting to put him in a school nursery in the September after his birthday ready to start school the following September.

From what I understand we don't get any free hours when DS is two but get them when he is 3. I thought it was 15 but his childminder told me we get 30 at 3. Is this right? Ive tried googling but can't seem to find a proper answer.

Thanks in advance

15 hours as standard. Think you have to qualify to get the extra 15 hours (making up to 30)

www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare

You will get 30 hours free if you both work (there are restrictions) you may also qualify for tax free where the gov pay 20% of your childcare now (again restrictions apply) go to tax free childcare and have a look on the gov site

30 hours but accross 39 weeks if you want your child to attend during school holidays then it’ll be less hours.

And agree you might currently qualify for the fax free which is 2k/year
My ds is nearly 2years and we’ve been claiming the 2k for the last year (we both work)

www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

Thanks everyone!

We do get the tax free childcare but our childminder isn't registered with them for some reason! I will ask her again next time I'm there

Just a heads up With the fund hours 15 or 30 it will be the provider who will advise the hours you can do a day/ week. Some only offer term time others all year round, some split it across the day or limit it do x number of hours a day you can get it for. There will also be more than likely additional charges to pay. Is the school nursery open all year round? What will you do about dropping off/ collection and cover in the holidays. As I childminder myself I charge my full fees when I drop off and collect children from nursery for the entire time they are at the nursery to save there space especially if it’s needed in the holidays. So you may need to have a chat with your childminder to see what she does if you will still be needing her

I think you would be entitled to 30 but school nursery classes are often just 3 hours a day (so a morning session or an afternoon session) which is the 15 hours and only term time. If you are needing 'daycare' style nursery staying with the child minder might be better.