Do I have to utilise the full 15 hours???

[Lauandbabies]

Hi my son has secured a place at a school nursery starting September. I am currently on maternity leave and due another baby December. Although I want him to go to nursery for the social side of things, I o ly ever envisioned him going 2 or 3 mornings, however the nursery are saying he must attend a minimum of 15 hours. I feel a full day would be too much for him , so this would equate to taking him to all 5 morning sessions (which I don't want to do as I feel as I am at home and able to look after him and. Play, teach, provide for him then I should be and want to). My question is...if I put him down for 5 mornings and utilise the government free childcare for this , would it matter then if I only sent him for say 3 of those mornings? IE would the nursery still get there 15 hours funding or is this drawn on attendance? Thankyou

Regular attendance is a condition of the nursery claiming the funding.

You may find that going every day will be a good way of establishing a routine for your son and get him prepared for going to school. You may also be grateful for the break, especially later on in your pregnancy.

Thanks . I know it would probably help with routine etc when he goes to school but tbh my main driver for applying for a nursery place for him is so he has more chance of securing a school place at this particular school...otherwise I probably wouldn't be looking to send him at all and just start taking him to playgroups etc. Are the school still able to claim the 15 hours if I don't send him for that do you know ? Thanks

@Lauandbabies check the schools admissions criteria, it would be very unusual for attending the nursery to give you priority for school places.

Attending the nursery will have no effect in school admissions.

BUT remember that this universal early years education entitlement (that’s what it is - it’s not ‘free childcare) is for your child to support his learning and development. He will benefit from going to nursery every morning (for example) in lots of ways. And he’ll still be spending lots of time with you.

You may also find that the structure to the day and the time with just the baby is beneficial to you - and the baby.

Thanks . We have ready been told from the school that it gives him a much greater chance of securing his school place. Appreciate everyone's replies but still not sure on how the funding for 15 hours and attendance plays out. Just thought I would ask on here as was awake but will check with the nursery today. Thanks 👍

“We have ready been told from the school that it gives him a much greater chance of securing his school place. “

Then the school have told you wrong. Please look at their admissions criteria on their website. This would be discriminatory against people who eg need childcare 8-6 around work.

Unless it’s a private school, it’s extremely unlikely that attending the nursery is a priority admissions category.

But, equally, they are within their rights to set minimum attendance criteria. They may have found that children who don’t attend at least 15 hours don’t settle as well as children who do, so they don’t accept children only a couple of mornings a week.

The school might not be wrong. E.g. if it is a private school or certain faith schools.

How old is he? Are you already on mat leave for the new one, or still on mat leave for him?

15 hours is really just two not-quite-full days. You may appreciate that when the new one comes.

Appreciate everyone's comments however I have faith from what we have been 5old by 5he school and from friends and family in the are whom have attended and secured placement.

I will contact the nursery re the attendance.

Thanks

I used to do the funding for our pre-school.
we could only claim for hours attended. So if they’re regularly only doing 12 hours, rather than 15, we could only claim fir those.

i didn’t want DD to attend more than 12, so I paid for the extra three hours she didn’t attend!

That’s great, please read the criteria online as well to be sure.

Several primary schools here have admissions categories for children who went to the associated nursery school. Although that's NI, and OP can't be here because we don't get 15 hours.

Please find and read the schools actual, published admissions criteria.
You don’t want to get a nasty surprise when the time comes. Attendance at a school nursery is very rarely a high criteria nowadays.

Spoke to the nursery.... They're ok with me sending him less than 15 hours as long as they are aware what mornings he is and isn't attending. Phew!

You could consider slightly longer mornings, if it's possible. Our nursery class used to do 9-11.30 x 5= 15 (I know), and really it isn't long enough, unless you live very near the school. 9-1 or even 1230 would be much easier for most.

For 3 days!