Might seem like a dumb question! School/nursery

[Twinkletwinklelil]

When do kids start school and when do they start nursery?
by nursery I mean school nursery, the full time funded one?
what age?

im just so confused.
my DS turns 2 in November. Not looking to put into private nursery until the sept before 3rd birthday, is that ok?

im confused on timelines.
and confused on the funded government hours.. but that’s a whole different hole to go down 🤣

thank you for any info you can give

Depends on what you want to do and what's available in your area. Mine never went to a school nursery, just a private one. Big advantage for me was that it ran year round not just term time and for longer days.

You still get the funded hours.

Assuming you are in England: School nursery - the September after they turn 3. School (i.e. Reception) - the September after they turn 4.

Also be mindful that ‘school nurseries’ don’t exist everywhere. Neither of the areas (two different counties) that we lived in when my dc were that age had a school nursery. There were childminders and private nurseries and a playgroup and there was a private preschool (not attached to any school) and a holiday club (which took them if/when all the above was closed, as well as school age children).

Most people who want them to have the preschool experience but don’t need longer hours or school holiday coverage for work start the September before they would start school. So in your case, that would not be next September, but the one after (just before he turns 4).

So there's -

Private nursery- which children can attend from baby until they start school. 15 hours funding from 9 months. 30 hours funding from 3 years old for working parents. Usually open all day.

Pre school- nursery sessions. Usually runs 9-3 or similar. Term time only. Usually for 2-4 years old . 15-30 hours funding available.

Sorry posted by accident!

School nursery- available from term after they turn 3 although some schools will only offer from September after they turn 3. Totally funded , usually 9-330 .

School- starts the September after you term 4.

Do you work?

15 hours the term after they turn 3 is the only universal funding.

The other funding is dependent on your circumstances.

Assuming in England, Early years Funding is from term after third birthday, so January 2026 in your dc case although most school nurseries/preschools only have a September intake so you may be looking at privately or community run until then, and may be am or pm sessions only. Reception entry would be September after turning four, so September 2027 for your dc and you apply in the preceding January.

Whatever you decide to do, best enquire about waiting list times as may need to get on a list ASAP.

Yes I do. I thought the new government scheme was funding for all parents??

Thank you all so much. And yes, England and I do work.
have another one on the way so I’m looking into childcare for DS at the end of my mat leave - my parents will have the newborn for a year or so

No not all, you have to be each earning a minimum of 16 hours at minimum wage per week and less than £100,000 per parent.

School nursery- available from term after they turn 3 although some schools will only offer from September after they turn 3. Totally funded , usually 9-330

Ours was morning or afternoon sessions only at the school nursery-9-12 or 12.30-3.30.

Beware when thinking of ‘free’ hours for nursery-it’s better to think of them as ‘partially funded’!

School preschools/nursery vary greatly. You need to see what the local offer is.

However Reception... September after they turn 4. Apply by January before, to the council. Including if they already attend the school nursery!

*Ours was morning or afternoon sessions only at the school nursery-9-12 or 12.30-3.30.

Beware when thinking of ‘free’ hours for nursery-it’s better to think of them as ‘partially funded’!*

Most school nurseries offer two sessions a day now although you have to pay for the lunchtime and the school lunch of you have one. Our school nursery charges £4 for the lunch time and £3.20 for a school dinner.

Depending on space, some school nurseries may take as soon as they turn 3. Some may offer 15 hours or a few funded 30 hour spaces (need to get in there early for those). Most will take the September after they turn 3 years old. Preschools usually take from 2 years old until school.

Reception in England starts Sept after you're 4. If your child has an August birthday you can try and get them into school for the following year just after they turn 5. It's a hassle but it is possible and better for some kids.