School Nursery sessions Scotland

[ninjashark]

Ftm just looking for a bit of guidance/advice on applying for nursery hours.
I've just received my letter telling me to apply for DD's nursery place for when she turns 3 (she's just turned 2).
We're in Scotland so she will get 30 free hours. The two nurseries near us offer either morning or afternoon sessions or the option of two full days 8-6 and a three hour session.
how do I know which to apply for?
Im currently a sahm, I was hoping to get back to work part time once she starts nursery but I've no idea what my hours will be etc
If I apply for mornings just now am I able to change it nearer the time or would I be better applying for the two full days and trying to look for work on those days?

Have you checked availability with the nurseries? That might make your decision for you!

Personally I prefer full days - half days feel like you don't really get much done by the time you've done drop-off and pick-up.

It depends on your line of work but it's I find full days is better rather than trying to get a job doing a few hours every day.

But do check with the nurseries, they are likely to prioritise spaces for children they already have in the baby room moving up.

@Starcaller

Have you checked availability with the nurseries? That might make your decision for you!

According to the application notes the nurseries aren't able to discuss availability as it doesn't go through them. I have to fill in our first, second and third choices with preferred hours then when a space becomes available we will be allocated one in whichever comes up first.

@Lockdownbear

It depends on your line of work but it's I find full days is better rather than trying to get a job doing a few hours every day.

But do check with the nurseries, they are likely to prioritise spaces for children they already have in the baby room moving up.

Yes that's true it would be a lot harder to find something for the hours she would be in on half days.

I'd speak with the nurseries just to be sure, mine were already in nursery so filled it out with their guidance and never put a second option down!

Are they Early Years Centres attached to schools or standalone? I would personally send to whichever one is attached to the school you intend to use. This is what I always suggest to any prospective parents when they ask. If it is a school EYC I would send for 5 half days and use a childminder to wrap around or purchase additional hours via your local authority. Unless either do the 9-3 termtime option which seems to be very popular in my authority. My EYC don't offer this option unfortunately as I think it would be really popular.

@Lockdownbear

I'd speak with the nurseries just to be sure, mine were already in nursery so filled it out with their guidance and never put a second option down!

It's council funded nurseries I'm applying for so they only take from 2 years up so I'm not sure how they prioritise places, there's a number for the pupil placement department on the letter so I think I'll give them a phone and ask

Also be clear if you want term-time or all year, 22 hours all year might be better than 30 term-time.

I'd also look at the private nurseries too who are more likely to do all year round and might be more flexible if you get a job with different days.

@Minkymandy

Are they Early Years Centres attached to schools or standalone? I would personally send to whichever one is attached to the school you intend to use. This is what I always suggest to any prospective parents when they ask. If it is a school EYC I would send for 5 half days and use a childminder to wrap around or purchase additional hours via your local authority. Unless either do the 9-3 termtime option which seems to be very popular in my authority. My EYC don't offer this option unfortunately as I think it would be really popular.

So one is an early years centre and one is a nursery school, they are both attached to the same primary school which is the one DD will be attending. I didn't know you could purchase extra hours from the local authority so I will look into that further! Unfortunately our authority don't offer term time, it would be a really great option if they did.

The nursery placement is such a lottery and varies by local authorities. As we needed childcare for work we chose a private nursery that is a partnered with the council and paid for the extra hours we need, our children attended from 10 months old and got the funding the term after she turned 3. Our local authority doesn't allow you to pay for extra hours in their nurseries due to demand.

Don't rule out private nurseries with my funding I was down to paying £60 per month for 3 full days all year round before my LO started school.

That included lunch and snacks. Then take into account paying it through the vouchers scheme it was effectively a tenner a week.

Many of the local authorities suspended the purchasing of extra hours due to covid but they have all now been told they must offer them. Many are still not promoting it though. It is a lot cheaper than other settings. Off the top of my head, I'm sure it is around £3.35 per hour in the authority that I work.

Thanks everyone, this has been really helpful!