Help! How does funding work? Is it too late change providers for Sept?

[curlytoes]

I have become increasingly disatisfied with my son's preschool. I'm tempted to withdraw my son from September and look for somewhere new. The thing is I've stupidly said he'll be going back next term. If I change my mind now will his preschool be out of pocket? I do not pay anything and he attends for his 'funded' hours. Will the preschool already have applied for, and been allocated, his funding for next term? I've looked at all the policies that the preschool have given me and cant find anything which states a notice period for leaving.

In my local authority, you have a 3 week trial period where you can change settings and take your funding with you, but many preschools have their own policies about giving notice. If yours doesn't have a policy then you should be able to change without problems.

It is a huge pain but if your preschool has a waiting list, then they should be able to fill the space. We have people dropping out all the way until the first week in September. It is very annoying but there is nothing we can do about it.

Thanks Camdancer. I know it's annoying for the nursery if I change my mind at short notice. However, my son is my first priority though and I dont feel that this setting is working for him.

We do a headcount at the beginning of each term but it is not in the first week or 2. So the answer to your question is no, they wont have already applied for the funding.

I would move him, if you are not happy. When Dd3 was at preschool I did the admissions as my role on the comittee, children used to move around all the time.

Vote with your feet, thats what I say. I dont think it is particularly short notice anyway it is 2 months.

I second above comment.

They won't have applied for any funding yet.

If you are unhappy with the provision have you shared this with them so they can make changes? If so and they have not responded appropriately then you should absolutely vote with your feet and find a better place for your son. He only gets one chance at pre-school education.