2 year old funded hours

[Holiday16]

My 2 year old is eligible for 15 hours funding at nursery as of January term
Do I use the hours or not?

I'm worried he may be treated differently if we are not paying ourselves and would rather keep him home until the 3 year funding if that's the case.

I am deciding if I'm going back to work following my second maternity leave and this is a massive part of it

Thankyou x

None of the other parents, kids or most of the staff will know you get 2 year funded hours. Send him if you really want to.

He will be treated exactly the same as the other children, many of whom will also be funded. Don't worry!

This is the problem I don't know if I want to send him or keep him home for another year. It's a tricky one.

Your worry about him being treated differently is completely unfounded.

I can't help you with deciding if you want him to start or not.
Do you go to other groups with him ? Toddler Groups / Stay and Play etc?
I think little ones begin to learn from being around other dc, and, unless you are some sort of superMum, generally, they get to try more activities and experience different things at groups of one sort or another.

He won't be treated differently.
Decide whether or not you want to send him based on whether or not he'd benefit from it. Parent and toddler groups are definitely enough, but you can send him to nursery if you think he'd benefit.

I actually run a stay and play session so he's socialised twice a week there and I take him to other parent and toddler groups and meet friends in the week with children. I think he would benefit slightly but I do feel like I do enough here to maybe hold off until the 3 year funding

Just thought it might help me to go back to work if he goes nursery but same time I dont want to miss the time with him - Thankyou all for your help xx

He won’t be treated differently and usually there is a reason funded hours are given at the age of two and it’s because it’s proven to be beneficial to the average child. Are you sure he will really benefit more firm being at home with you?

@StripeyBadger
Hi, not every child is offered the funding at 2 years. it's only because of low income that we would receive this

I do not know if he would benefit more at home or at nursery

why do you think he would be treated differently just because hes being funded as a 2yr old instead of being 3

We declined the 2 year funding for our younger 2 but not because we thought they’d be treated differently but just because I’m a sahm and can’t work due to my health needs

2 year funding is about giving children opportunities they might not get at home. Some will not go to groups, won't do painting cutting, gluing etc at home. Don't have books or meet others if you feel your doing all this then it's fine.....but your child won't be treated differently.