3yo nursery. Need to get my act together but don't know where to start.

[IfAtFirstUDontSucceed]

DS was 2 at the beginning of April this year and other parents of children his age are already started talking about nursery.

From what I can see from our local authority website he'll be entitled to his 15 free hours from September 2016, but that's where the information runs dry and I don't have a clue.

I currently have him in 2 full days a week in a private nursery.

I'm just planning ahead (or am I already leaving it late)?

How does he get his 15 hours? Is this in the form of tax credits?
We don't receive any tax credits at the moment as we're not eligible. Or is it a case of putting him in a nursery attached to a school for 15 hours per week?

Could he stay in the private nursery he's currently in and make use of the 15 free hours there?

People are talking about waiting lists, how do I know which nursery I could take him to? Does he have to be in a particular catchment? How soon should I apply to get him on the list?

Sorry for all the Q's - I have absolutely no clue and am starting to panic all of a sudden! :)

He should be able to use the hours in his current nursery. Have a chat with them.

The nursery your DS is already attending most probably accepts the 15 hours funding... A very small monitory don't so you should be fine so no need to move him unless you choose to.

Catchment areas don't exist and the funds are paid directly to nursery and you will see a slightly lower bill at the end of the month from nursery.

Something some parents don't know is the funding only stretches over term time, so no funding in the holidays.

In our nursery they simply deduct the hours off your bill, but you can opt to do just funded hours (9-12, 9-3) and then effectively pay the nursery nothing as you are covered by your funding!

HTH - and don't panic, definitely not thinking about this too late!

You get up to 15 hours free from a nursery, preschool or childminder. They claim the funding on your behalf. You may find his current nursery offer it . Otherwise it can be claimed for other settings who meet the LA criteria, private or attached to a school. School based preschools may only intake in September so contact any you would consider now to view and find out how and when to apply. It may ultimately be based on distance if there are more children than places. Attendance at a school based one has no influence on whether you will get a place in Reception at that school, that application will be separate. Private ones (including community based playgroups) may well have waiting lists so sooner you decide if you like any it is worth registering. They are often first come, first served.

That's very helpful, thanks!
I can breathe a sigh of relief now!

My son's private nursery does do the free hours but they charge an £8 session fee to cover extra activities (I think this is to get round not being allowed to charge top-up fees).