Transferring to a new nursery mid term funding

[Hyperquiet]

Hi

We are sending our child to a new nursery in July, is there any chance of using the 15 funded hours or does a term type of restriction kick in or would the hours have already been claimed? We currently receive the funded hours at current nursery.

I am trying to get my head round how it works but does that mean no funded hours till September as it is a new term?

Thanks

It can vary, but most counties won’t move funding until the start of the next term (September) unless the first setting agrees. There is no requirement for them to agree though.

it might depend on why you’re moving. The setting I’m connected with has sometimes agreed to transfer funding if the child is moving out of area. However the decision to transfer funding is generally up to the setting.

Ah ok thanks. I can still get the tax free amount with the new nursery though right?

We have done this and once claimed it’s used at the first place for the term. There is nothing that can be transferred so you’ll have to pay in full for the hours being there at the new place. Try and link it to the new term if possible to make the most of it :)

Yes the tax free amount is fine and that’s just added to your childcare account and can be paid out to whichever provider you select.

Yes will do thanks. So thats just a matter of giving the new nursery the code right and telling the old nursery to no longer use it?

The 15/30 hour code goes with the funding, so wouldn’t be available to be used until September.

The tax-free childcare account/code can be used at the new setting as it’s completely separate to the funding code.

Thanks

Hi, we were able to move funding last October straight away. First nursery agreed filled in a form sent to council and all went through smoothly. We had to give one months notice to the nursery we left.

Interesting thank you!

It is possible but settings and some LEAs will tell you it isn’t. Either way, it will be a difficult and bureaucratic mess. The whole system needs to be simplified.

Will see what happens and take the L if not

In my area it's 2 week's notice to move provider and the funding has to move with the child.....you also should have signed a form which states exactly how many funded hours your current setting is using and over how many weeks.

Thank you. When I give notice to the current nursery do you know what is best to ask for?

There was a long thread on this a few months ago and the outcome was that the nursery can send over the funding to the new nursery but they don’t have to, and so generally don’t

The funding doesn't move with you. It's actually that in some areas (mine included) the LA say that the new setting has to suck it up. They call it swings & roundabouts. If a new child moves into your setting after their funding for the term has already been claimed then you don't get it and have to just essentially let them attend free, but at the same time if a child leaves your setting after you've received funding for them you don't have to give it back.
You don't need to ask for anything, just give notice and ask the new setting what applies to them for funding.

You just need to ask them to clarify the hours they have claimed for and if you suspect you're being fobbed off then contact your local authority early year's team. Never forget the funding is there for the child. It differs from area with rules about claiming but you shouldn't be disadvantaged from moving setting if you have hours to use and your LA allows the change.

If you're moving in July how much funding are you expecting to have?
I think this term's funding ends on the 18th July in my LA.

Some LAs will only moving funding if there is a good reason, just wanting to change setting wouldn't be a reason.

Hi, the funding finishes mid July, definitely in my LA, so there wouldn’t be anything left to claim anyway.

Thank you

I am not sure tbh. There is a good reason to change but some of this funding stuff goes over my head.

Well which week do your funded hours end? Or are the hours stretched? Funding here will end when the school term ends so 18th july

I am not sure where to get the info from. I could email the council if I can't find it online.

Yes the hours are stretched though.

How many hours do you claim a week?

15 hours but it works out to about 11 as it is stretched

The hours being stretched would make it even harder to transfer them. And they’d still end in July. Sounds like your hours will just start fresh in September and there won’t be any crossover