Funded hours - changing setting

[MumTeach88]

We have had to leave our current nursery setting and are actively looking for a new place. All being well we will be with another setting by Oct. I have my message to reconfirm my hours, but does having a gap mean I can't!? I don't want to miss out from Oct if I don't reconfirm. Thanks

You can’t start claiming in the middle of a term, the setting has to claim from day 1. So 1st April, 1st September, 1st January.

If you’re not starting until October my understanding is that you wouldn’t be able to claim the hours at that setting until January.

This isn’t correct.

As long as the OP hasn’t used another setting from September (which has claimed the funding), she can start a setting in October which then claims the funding.

She does, however, need to make sure that she re-confirms her code so that it runs continuously, without a break.

It depends on your local authority. In some areas, the funding moves with the child but in others the setting is allowed to keep the money for the full term. Also, many areas don’t allow funding for late starters if they have already claimed funding in another setting. You need to enquire about the rules in your area and how the transition for funding between settings works. You may find that you will have an unfunded period if you change mid term.

The new setting should be able to put in a late claim for funding if you start in October. However many providers don't like doing this as it means they won't get paid until the end of term so may insist on charging you.

Can you not just start the new setting in September if you have funded hours? Most settings would prefer a September start to avoid delays claiming the funded hours. Although in my area the funding forecasts for the autumn term have already been submitted but I know my local authority does allow last minute additions.

It depends on the LA. Here if a setting has already claimed then even if the child moved midterm to a new setting the original is allowed to keep the funding so there wouldn’t be any funding left to claim in October.

Thanks for replies. We can't start a new setting yet as he hasn't got one but we should hopefully have a place there mid Oct. He has already left the current place so no Sept funding will have been claimed there.

You're not reading the posts properly. OP isn't doing that and the PP you've quoted has clarified it. You're still saying it depends when OP has said they've already left a setting and won't be starting until at least October. So no one is (double) claiming for the Autumn term.

If you are only starting in October you wouldn’t get the free hours until 1st Jan term.

Government funded free hours only apply from term start dates, give them a call and they can confirm that for you. We’ve literally just had this same chat with our nursery because we will be in this position for our son next year, he would be eligible from September but due to not starting until October he cannot access the funding until Jan.

Again, thanks for replies. I'm less worried about whether I can actually get them or not, as the setting will let me know that when we get one, but whether I complete the reconfirmation? I don't want to do anything wrong but I also don't want to have to start an application again when I don't need to...

@MumTeach88 I would definitely keep doing the reconfirmation of the code. No need to use the hours but the code will stay valid.

Amazing! Thanks 😀

This isn't true? Are you a provider? Maybe re check your understanding if you are.

The only time you have to wait is if you aren't back to work yet. Or child isn't old enough.

OP has a valid code, child is old enough and is, I assume, already working as she's been claiming for the summer term.

Please don't spread false information.

I would say the new setting could claim because the old one can't given he won't be there in September.

OP can call her provider, as we did, and they will tell her the same. The providers claim from day 1 of term.

They can claim from day one, but they (as I am one) can claim for less weeks if needed. The new provider can just claim for 8 weeks or whatever the child ends up doing.

You can quite easily make a mid term adjustment if you choose to. Your nursery might prefer not to though as they have to wait longer for the payment which is also perfectly reasonable.

This isn’t true! The OP has said that she’s not going to be using the funded hours in a different setting in September. Therefore, the funded hours are available at any point in the autumn term, as long as she can find a space, and the LA process for settings allows it.