Pre-school funding changing from Easter??? My nursery said this is what will happen.

[snooks]

Ds1 (3.6) currently has four 2.5 hour sessions pw (out of his 'allocation' of 12.5 hours of govt funded pre-school ed).

When I arrived to pick him up at lunchtime today the nursery manager told me briefly that from Easter (ie the new term) funded hours will increase to 15 from 12.5 (ok, great) and that from then on children will have to fully attend for the whole of the 15 hours, split between sessions over the week.

It was a bit hectic at lunchtime and so I didn't really take on board what she was saying, but it seems a bit odd to insist on pre-schoolers attending for the maximum. Some do, some don't. I'm wondering now if the nursery are just trying to increase his hours to get more govt funding . Has anyone else heard of this? Couldn't find any info on the direct.gov.uk website.

Bump

Anyone? I know this a bit of a boring topic for a Friday night

Our LEA certainly isn't doing this.

the 15hr thing was being brought in a couple of years ago, then the govn realised they would have to fund it - and said it would be upto the LEA whether they offered it, although it is being brought in from April 2010 I thought?
No idea on the fill attendance, wouldn't have thought it was govn policy - but I suppose the nursery could maybe insist on it (ie not offer part time places?).

Nothing changing where I work, parents can not be forced to increase sessions just to increase revenue for setting.

Thanks all, will have a proper chat to the nursery manager next week. Haven't got a problem with ds attending for 15 hours in theory, just a bit peed off if the nursery try to 'force' me into it iyswim for their own profits. Hmmm, will see.