NurserySchool for a 3 yr old - entitlements

[BobsWendy]

Hi we're moving to the UK (Chester) from Ireland in a couple of months. I have a ds who will be 3 in September, and I'd like him to start attending some kind of nursery school - is it true that he's entitled to a free place at the age of 3, and how do I go about putting his name down somewhere / choosing the best place? and what kind of waiting lists are there? I'm a SAHM with another ds (1 yr old) also, so would ideally only like older ds to go somewhere maybe three mornings a week for a couple of hours. We'll be on a budget though, hence questions about being free.

Thanks in advance

He won't get the free sessions until Januray (term after he is 3) and then it is up to 5 2 1/2 hr sessions. Have a look on www.childcarelink.org for a local list but nothing can substitute for personal visits.

You're entitled to 12.5 hours per week, the first full school term after his third birthday. This can be split into five 2 and a half hour sessions, or two 5hr sessions plus one 2.5 hr session.

Places for mornings are harder to find. Look around a few nurseries, and find out what allocations they have available. But just be warned, the competition for mornings is much fiercer!

Many thanks for taking the time to reply. Do all nursery schools offer these hours for free i.e. is it a requirement of the government that if you're of the age, the first 12.5 hours of any childcare is free? I've found a listing of 13 nursery schools in Chester, is the best thing to put his name down for next Jan in the ones near me and then visit them when we move over? Thanks again, sorry I'm so dumb about this!

Yes, I believe they're all supposed to provide the 12.5hrs for free .. but I guess this would exclude some specialist types like Montessori? I'm not sure about that.

Obviously it would be far better for you if the nursery was local, so as you say, start from there and work outwards if you're not happy.

My ds started his 12.5 hrs in January and he loves it. It took a while to settle, but he looks forward to going now.

The nursery do all the paperwork for you, so I wouldn't worry about that. I wish you all the best!

It isn't necessarily the firts 12 1/2 hours , has to be broken down into session of no more than 2 1/2 hours each, maximum of 5. You could call the LEA, or look online, for that area and ask for a list of those which qualify . Most do (and cm's, day nurseries, private schools etc) but they have to meet Ofsted and LEA criteria such as operating for a minimum number of hours per week and weeks per year. The rebate only operates in school term time too, so for about 38/9 weeks. Some will ask for a regiostration fee/deposit so, if you can, be selective now.

Thanks to you all for all this wonderful information.

and its not 12.5 hours a week for the whole school term, its less than that. sorry don't know the exact figure

Schools with nurseries attached usually are covered in cost by the free places for over 3s. These can have waiting lists. However, we've found if it's a private nursery then the cost is offset by the free funding, but rarely covers the entire cost of attending and we need to top-up the fees.

In our village we have a little pre-school nursery that runs either morning or afternoon sessions.
You may find that the area you move to has one of these. It has been great for DS1 and DS2 is going to go in September. It is £6.50 per session which is 2.5 hours long the term after they are 3 years old it is free for 5 sessions a week.

HTH