Pre School funding

[McDreamy]

DS currently attends pre school which is free as he has a funded place like all 3 year olds. We have been posted to a new area from October half term and I would like him to attend pre school in our new area but they are saying I will have to pay for his place until January when they can apply for funding again.

Is this right? Does the government not allow for movement of children? I know that if people are posted in here they don't have to pay.

I am not moving because I want to, I am moving because I have been told too. Just wondered if this is true of all nurseries/pre schools or jut this one. Thank you.

bump

We can update from half term, but not after.

So if I was transferring to your nursery from 2 Nov and was applying now you could get funding for my DS? I wonder why they can't esp as the community I am moving to is a very transient one.

Sorry for the terse reply - was on the phone

OK. In our county we apply for funding once a term. We can then update at any point up until the end of the half term week; that is add new starters, adjust the number of sessions etc. So, if your child was joining us for certain, we would put in a claim for them from the week beginning after half term. However, of funding is being claimed at another setting for that term it is more tricky, and we have to invoice that setting for the money. And then you get into all sorts of problems with thier notice periods etc.

Ah ok so it is fairly complicated then. I think I will speak to DS's current pre school about it. There must be a system to deal with this as the military are moving all the time.

Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it

Good luck!

Thinks do vary from LEA to LEA so i can only tell you based on what happens in my LEA.

Your new pre-school should be able to submit a 'late claim' to the LEA on behalf of your ds.

Once all the information has been verified and background checks have been made (obv the LEA need to claim back the money paid to your ds' previous pre-school) they can pay out to your pre-school.

This can only happen as long as your pre-school can fund your ds' place until the next term - they can't ask you to contribute.

Maybe in your case, the pre-school can't afford to fund your ds' place till the money from the LEA comes through? Worth checking though.

hth

That is helpful, they are asking me to pay the full amount until January Not a great time of year to be forking out £500 (for 2 months) when you weren't expecting it!! It's the first pre school that has responded, it will be interesting to see what the others say!