Free 30 hours

[peaches36]

Quite a way off yet but my son will be eligible for the 30 hrs free childcare next year he’ll be starting in the April term as he will turn 3 in February.

He doesn’t currently go to nursery so I’m not sure how it works - would I need to put his name down for a nursery, mention that I’ll be applying for the free childcare hours and then when I receive the code, give them it? Or am I not allowed to put his name down for anywhere until I have a code? I’m just worried I’ll struggle to find a nursery accepting more free childcare children if I don’t get his name down somewhere, we can’t afford to pay for the childcare ourselves.

I’m aware it’s a way off but I’m a worrier

I’m also not sure if it’s different depending on the area - we’re in Warwickshire.

It works slightly differently in each area. But I'm sure nurseries don't care if you will be using funded hours as they will get paid regardless. In fact they might prefer it.

I was more thinking because there’s limited spaces for the free funding ones where I am. A relative of mine works in a nursery in the area and she said there’s a full waiting list until the end of 2022 🥴😳

Look now! I manage a nursery and some of our rooms are full until August 2023!!

Get your name down for Pre-school, funding makes no odds

@peaches36

I was more thinking because there’s limited spaces for the free funding ones where I am. A relative of mine works in a nursery in the area and she said there’s a full waiting list until the end of 2022 🥴😳

I never thought of that as DC was in nursery before he was age eligible for 30 free hours.

I would register asap and tell them you will be entitled to 30 funded hours. I'm sure all that will happen is you'll need the code closer to the time. If you can't provide it I guess the next person on the waiting list will get your place.

Look for a place now, you will find it difficult if you leave it much longer, it's only 2 terms away!
Will you need childcare during the school holidays? The 30 hours run term time only. Some places allow you to stretch the funding to get 22 hours every week if the year. Other places don't, so you will either have to pay for school holidays or find a term time only place. These are in high demand, so get looking now. Where I work we are full till September 2022 for term time only places, and on some days full till Sept 2023.
You can apply for the code a couple months before he is 3. Then it needs to be renewed every few months or you will lose it.
I doubt your place will be given away if you don't have a code, as a PP said, but you will be billed and expected to pay.
There is lots of great quality childcare around (I have no knowledge of you particular area though) but you beed to look now to find a place you like.
Look at lots, choose the one that feels right for you DC.

Just be aware that the 30 hours sometimes come with strings, so you be asked to pay for meals etc, or the nursery may only accept them in set hours and you'll need to top up. Its worth asking the question if finances are tight.

If you don't need all day childcare for work, look for a Preschool rather than a nursery. They do shorter sessions so are less in demand, and therefore elss likely to have a waiting list.

You can put his name down now. They will probably assume any child over 3 will be using the funding, and then when you get the code you just give it to them.

Yes, find a nursery you like and reserve a place now. You'll be able to apply for the code around his birthday next year and then you just give it to them before he starts. All children his age will be using some sort of funding and they will expect it. You don't even need to really mention it at this stage other than to confirm how they apply the funding. Some set it for specific hours only (school hours or a limited number of hours per day) and some charge for extras. So just confirm how that works.

You need to have the name down for years here. You've left it quite late IMO.

I would be looking now, you may find that with wanting to start in April rather than September there will be no spaces as all taken from September start of term. The pre school my children went to only had September start dates only and no spaces to join during the school year as already full. private nursery’s may work slightly differently but please be a wear you are very unlikely to find a space offering completely free 30 hours as the pay they get is usually much lower than what they charge privately . It is also up to the provider how the 30 hours is offered e.g term time, split across the year, only offering restricted hours during the day.