how much top-up do you think it's normal to pay in outer London?

[naturelover]

Just found out that our local council only pays 11 pounds per 3-hour session towards nursery cost of 19 pounds. Is this normal?

Local school nurseries are totally oversubscribed - no hope of getting in (esp as DD will only get funding in Jan).

I'm totally new to all this - have I understood it correctly? I was naively believing that she would get 15 hours a week for FREE, instead of us having to pay 40 pounds a week EXTRA.

Thanks

we are in outer London and our grant only covers 1/3 of the cost

you will get it free if you can get into a state run nursery

I help in a pre-school and it is free at the point of access, as the contract with the council demands. It is not a state run nursery, it's private.

Not in London though.

Agree - see other threads. It should be FREE for parents to access the funded hours with no top-ups permitted. Contact your local council early years unit.