Nursery funding for 3 year olds

[annmar]

DD2 is currently at a private nursery 2 mornings a week.

Before Christmas I got a letter outlining the fees for this year. At the bottom of the letter it said DD2 would be eligible for free sessions from September.

I understand that children become eligible for free sessions the term after they are 3. DD2 is 3 on 18th April. According to the local council website the summer term starts on 19th April.

Do you think its worth asking why she won't get funding until September?

Yes, I'd ask. As her birthday and the start of term are so close, you might find that the funding cut off is different to the start of term. In my county, children born between April 1st and August 31st get funding from September

Cut off is normally beginning of April for summer term funding, regardless of when the term actually starts. Check your LA website under Early Years

Thanks for answering.
I did wonder if Easter meant April birthdays were treated differently.
I will look to see if there is anything on the LA website and if not, will query with the nursery.

Thanks again

My DD's birthday is 2nd April and she was 3 last year. She didn't get her goverment funding until September just gone.

As far as I know the cut-off dates are the same for all local authorities. It explains in detail here

Funnily enough I spoke to my son's private nursery about this today. He turns 3 on March 29th and they said that our fees will be reduced by 12.5hrs per week as on 1st April, we do not even have to fill in a form it will happen automatically. Fantastic!!

All children are entitled to Free Early Education the term after they turn 3.

Children born between 1st April 2007 and 31st August 2007 become eligible for funding from September 2010. As your ds's birthday falls after the 1st September, he will be eligible from September 2010 and will be able to access 15hrs funding.

hth

From the DirectGov website, the cut offs are as follows:

1 April and 31 August
1 September following their third birthday until statutory school age

1 September and 31 December
1 January following their third birthday until statutory school age

1 January and 31 March
1 April following their third birthday until statutory school age

Link here

It is one time I am pleased DD's b'day is the end of August!

Cos the cut off, fucking annoyingly, is 1st of April.

I have 2 April born kids and it's annoyed me both times!