Government funding?

[bigbang]

Hello! My son has a place at a private nursery from September, he will turn three next week, he is only doing afternoons, so should get half his hours paid for. I had an invoice which is asking for almost twice the amount I was expecting from the nursery, and having spoken to them they say they can't apply for the funding until September when he is actually attending there, so they can't taken that money off what we pay.

They are a great nursery (so far!) and I have no reason to doubt what they are saying, but I feel uncomfortable 'agreeing' to pay full price for the first month, when really from the day he starts he should be entitled to Government funding. She wasn't clear, but did say the funding would come off the following months and the payment would be reduced, but not for September and we wouldn't get any money back. This seems odd to me as surely they would receive the money from the Government for Sept even if it is back paid, so in effect the hours would be paid for twice (by me and them)?

So is it normal for this to happen?

I will post this in 'nurseries' too as not sure which topic it applies to more! Thanks!

My dd's nursery would charge us full fees until the funding came through and then reduce the next invoice(s) accordingly so eventually we only paid the additional hours throughout term-time, but we were subbing the nursery while they waited for the funding.

You know it's only term time funding though don't you? I think each area or possibly each nursery makes its own rules as to which weeks are the 10(? I think) funded weeks each term.

My dd's nursery didn't give us very good information about funding or how it worked and were a bit odd if I asked so in the end I just kept a good tally on what we'd paid and funding we'd expected to receive and I wrote at end of each term if it didn't seem to add up.

The funding starts from the term after their third birthday

Ah yes I had forgotten it would only be term time!

When I spoken to them the quoted me X amount, but the bill was almost double that so I was a little shocked.

He is there rather than the local pre school as I am going back to Uni later in the year and his hours are increasing when I do... I didn't want to chop and change him but I'm not sure I can afford to pay what they are asking, whereas I could afford the original amount they wanted, if that makes any sense. I am worried about being tied into a payment I can't keep up with.

Thanks for your help!

If you arent sure about what the nursery is saying you could phone the person responsible for early years funding at your local council.

They shouldnt get funding and not pass it onto you - that would be fraud.

Sounds to me like you have either mis-understood, or they are being naughty and trying to get double the money in! I think you need to ask them to clarify it in writing at least then you have some proof to go to the council with.

Do they mean that for cash-flow reasons you will receive a credit for the extra you have paid on your next invoice as well as the reduction you are then entitled to? Please let me know how you get on (am a pre-school administrator)