Free nursery time - any ideas?

[Helsbels]

I have heard a rumour that when DS is 3 I get some free nursery sessions. Is this true? Does anyone know anything about it? Does it matter how much you earn? Any advice welcome!!!

Depends where you live but here we get 5 free 2.5 hour sessions per week from the term after the 3rd birthday.

Forgot to mention that income doesn't matter.

Best to contact your LEA. I think the nurseries/playgroups have to meet certain criteria (Ofsted etc), but they probably have a list of these. You may still have to contribute on top if it doesn't cover the entire sessions the one you choose runs. Also in some areas the funding only come into effect when the child nears 4 although there is a policy of it being available to all 3 year olds eventually.

hth

yeah it does vary from area to area - where abouts are you?

If Derbyshire it is from age 3 and you get 5 2.5hr sessions. The general childcare nursery we used to use was happy to roll these into 2 full days which suited me better at the time. Now DD goes to a state run nursery every afternoon. Means more trailing around but she loves it and the educational and equipment standard is much higher.

Our pre-school (Northamptonshire) has government funding for free sessions (I'm not sure how many - I think it might be 2 a week) which are currently from the term before the child's 4th birthday, but from Easter, it will be 2 terms before the 4th birthday. I can't quite get my head round it, but I think that may be the same as the term after their 3rd birthday, if there are 3 terms a year.

Thanks everyone - I have been off line but back now, appreciate the advice!