Stretched Hours Question

[YourNattyRubyViper]

DS attends an early years alliance where they only offer stretched funding over 51 weeks. I am looking to end nursery place in July (week ending 19th July), but thinking about the funding. There would have been 25 funded weeks as at that date, but the stretched hours are offered as 22hrs/week, which means the nursery would have claimed more hours than we would have used by July when we stop.
Would it make sense to discuss this with the nursery? since we are terminating in July the stretched offer should end also end in July? Or the 30hr MUST be stretched over 51 weeks even if you terminate earlier than 51 weeks?
Anyone with experience on this should help out please, I want to know how other settings have applied this when a child is leaving.

Not sure I understand the last bit bit it will be up to nursery to sort the funding out not you.

In our Borough, once the headcount day has past, the funding for the whole term can be kept by the provider.

You won't be able to claim funding again until September.

Will discuss with the nursery, but question was:
Stretched funding, nursery claims 30 hours of 38 weeks from Sept to August (used as stretched provision for 51 weeks). If I give my notice to stop in July, I would have only used around 42 weeks, and 22hrs x 42 weeks.
Can I ask nursery to use the remaining 9 weeks (51 - 42) before I leave?

Stretched funding is 51 weeks, I am leaving at 42 weeks and giving enough notice, can my stretched funding be used on basis of 42 weeks? since no one else can claim it.

Ah OK, then you can ask but no this isn't usual. Funding is term time only or stretched. Not mix and match ad hoc. Each week should be the same and nursery will sort out their payment with the Borough based on your child's attendance.

Also the 38 weeks isn't calculated September-August, it's April -March and the summer term is only 12 weeks so you probably aren't as in credit as you think. It's always worked out termly bit annually and banked so you've probably come off better than you think.

Thanks, I believe summer is the longest term. I saw this clarification on portmouth council website:

https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/schools-learning-and-childcare/early-years-and-childcare/early-education-funding-and-processes/clarification-of-stretched-funded-places-2/

I think similar formula will be applied at other councils. Mainly, its not feasible for me to travel to Nursery after the summer term ends due to other school aged children at home that needs childcare, so would need to end the place in summer as the child will be going to school in Sept.

I doubt the funding will be April - March, as that would mean many children (at pre-school) will only claim 1 term?

The nursery will need to complete an estimated termly return, and then an actual termly return to confirm funded hours in advance of every term (for my area the actual task is available now for the summer term). If you've given notice for July already then this will be reflected in their return.

You are probably best to speak to your nursery, they may be willing to offer extra hours between now and July if they have already received the funding, especially if they are aware of the reasons you can’t keep attending but I think this would be at their discretion. If they are audited it might be that they can’t do this. You are best to speak with them.

thanks, those responses makes sense.
I have already spoken to them and they said they would look into it as its part of a big nursery network, so finances are handled centrally. Just wanted to believe that since we have used over the 38 annual weeks and the only offer they have is to have it stretched. Hopfully, they should be able to pro rate it where notice is given in time. I wouldn't be too happy if they would not be claiming the entire 38 weeks 30 hrs funding because I didnt complete 51 weeks.
As I see it, they wouldn't be losing any money, especially if someone else picks picks the spot I am leaving behind within the next 2+ months.

This shows how complex the funding scheme and how difficult it is to explain the settings info to a parent.

It is annualised across the financial year. I don't understand why you think that means some children will only access one term? It's nothing to do with that? Termly is claimed and paid for termly but the stretched funding is a different calculation.

Anyway you're getting yourself mixed up with info and decision that aren't for you to sort an worry about. Speak to your nursery.

In my area, Somerset, the nursery can offer the funding either way so as long as you gave notice, we would adjust your invoice to let you claim the maximum you could until your leaving date. We would then complete an adjustment form for any unused hours so that the funding team could reclaim them.

I feel this is the "common sense" way to handle it. I have requested a meeting, so I can discuss with the manager properly.
Just wondering few other responses above alluding to how complex it is. I would just think that nuseries would have 30 x 38 hrs over 3 terms for each academic year (since the 3 terms are in an "academic year").
I hope they agree to allow us use the maximum, with a far enough notice.

Since when do the government do anything with common sense? Remember they are who set the rules, not the settings.

I hope you come to a satisfactory resolution.

Yea, I hope so.
The setting wont lose out on any money and they would have space for next person on the waiting list. LA also confirmed that the stretched can be used as the nursery pleases. Except they are planning to return the few weeks funding back, dont see reason why they shouldnt adjust so we use the maximum 1140hrs before leaving.

All nurseries have to follow the statutory guidance on nursery funding, which is adopted by each local authority. All of this is published on the web, so you can find out what the rules are and check that your nursery is following them. For instance, Surrey County Council has published its guidance on stretched funding here: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/323850/September-2023-EYES-Stretched-Funding-Guidance-v2.pdf. If you are not in Surrey then you could look to see if your local council has something similar (they should do).