I'm sooooo confused!

[magpumpkin]

My DD has just been offered 3 morning a week at our local pre-school. She will only be 2yrs 10 months when she starts, so i understand I cannot claim any funding until she reaches 3yrs? she also goes to a C/M 5 days a week 9.00 - 2.30. My C/M is accredited so i understand she can get a reduced rate with the pre-school? I know each session cost £8.50. Do I also pay my C/M when DD is in nursery (C/M will take and pick up) This sounds like a very expensive way of life over the next few years?????

You can't claim funded sessions until the 1st term starts after her 3rd birthday (guess that's in the autumn, so you can claim from January).

Whether you still pay your CM for hours when she's in preschool depends on what the CM expects; you need to arrange with her.

Not sure what you mean by reduced rate with cm because CM is accredited... do you mean childcare element of tax credits?

Assuming you mean the Nursery Education Grant of 12.5hrs...
From Jan pre-school would get your 3x 2.5hr sessions and your childminder could take 2x 2.5hrs off her bill (she claims it from the LEA like the Pre-school.)
Whether she charges you just for the 'wraparound' time or charges a retainer for the hours your dd is at pre-school as well is up to her. Fingers crossed she won't but some might.