15/30 hour funding - school nursery

[WhoopsEee]

With the 15 hour free funding for 3 year olds, is it possible to take up less hours (so 9 hours instead of the full 15)? It will be in a school nursery setting but cannot seem to find any information on doing less thar 15 hours.

Ooh following with interest as we qualify for this in January. I'm a SAHM and I'm not sure I really want to pack off my LO for half the week but I do think it will be beneficial to mix with other children for at least some of the time!

Yes you can however school may not accept part time if they can't fill the rest of the place with a part time as it affects funding but ask each place is different

A private nursery is more likely to accept this in the area I live. Nurseries attached to schools usually have attendance patterns that you can choose from, eg 5 mornings, full time etc

You’d be best off looking at attendance policies on the school website.

The 15 hours is term time only so only available for 38 weeks per year. Some private nurseries that are open all year around allow you to spread the free hours evenly which works out as just under 11 hours per week for 52 weeks a year. That might suit you better?