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Preschool education

Get advice from other Mumsnetters to find the best nursery for your child on our Preschool forum.

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Original poster

DD's pre-school place will be full time, so will we have to pay for any of it?

14 replies

puffling · 13/12/2008 23:17

When dd is 3.5, she'll hopefully be going to the nursery attached to the local school. The places are full time. There is no option for part time. Given that p/t is not optional, will we have to pay a top up, or will it all be free. Obviously I'll try to find this out on mon, I'm just curious to know if anyone can tel me anything now!

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Majeika · 13/12/2008 23:19

12.5 hours will be free and you will have to pay for the rest

IllegallyBrunette · 13/12/2008 23:20

Is it a state or private nursery ???

The nursery my dc went to was on the schools site but it wasn't a state one and so you paid for anything over the 12.5 hours.

Original poster

puffling · 13/12/2008 23:26

It's a state school in Salford. As far as i'm aware the nursery is not private, it's a part of the school. They even wear the school uniform.
When I visited the school, the head didn't mention fees, and there's no mention of fees on the LEA website.

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dannyb · 14/12/2008 16:32

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OhLITTLEFISHofBethlehem · 14/12/2008 16:35

It depends on whether the school is choosing to subsidise the nursery.

Different schools do different things. I know quite few schools who offer full time nursery places without expecting the parents to pay anything.

They use it as a way of encouraging parents to send their children there (as opposed to school nurseries which only offer part time) in the hope that the families will decide to then send their children to the school in Reception.

dannyB - are you sure about the not getting a place in Reception thing. As far as I know, nursery and Reception places are completely unconnected. The only exception I've known to this is when the school had some foundation trust support and preference was given in that case to those children who had attended the nursery. It's an unusual case though.

dannyb · 14/12/2008 16:37

Absolutely certain. Whilst there is no automatic right of entry into reception 1st priority after statements and cared for children are children who have attended nursery and it comes before siblings.

Fennel · 14/12/2008 16:38

Our preschool at state primary in Manchester was free for the full days from 3.5, it was part of the school, uniform too, so it sounds like yours. I'd imagine that if the places are full time then it'll be all free.

AccidentalMum · 14/12/2008 16:53

I am sure it will be free (am in Gorse Hil BTW). Just ask though, surely?

OhLITTLEFISHofBethlehem · 14/12/2008 17:14

That's really crap then dannyb and totally unfair to those parents who are on lower incomes. It goes totally against the Every Child Matters agenda as it relies on the ability of the parents to pay, rather than the places being open to all. It is basically, therefore, selection by a rather insidious (sp) means. I would speak to your MP about it. Also, once your children are in the school, get yourself voted onto the governors and see what you can do about it!

islandofsodor · 14/12/2008 17:38

Assuming it is the same system as in Stoke then all children start at full time state school nursery the September after they are 3.

It is fully funded by the council with no top up fees but equally no option for part time.

Original poster

puffling · 14/12/2008 19:54

Thanks for all replies. I'm hoping it's free then.

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pooka · 14/12/2008 19:59

DannyB that is extortion! I would be livid if I were in your position.
Also think it's a bit much to expect all children to go to pre-school full time at such a young age, with no option for half days or fewer sessions. DD did 5 sessions (2 full days and 1 morning) in the last term before she started school (at 4.5).

DS does 2 sessions a week and then I'll up it to 5 when he is in the last term before school (he'll be a 5 year old starter).

islandofsodor · 14/12/2008 21:56

Thats one of the reasons we went private for nursery (though they did end up staying).

A frie4nd also went private at a local prep school just for nursery so her July born dd could start from 3 half days building to 5 instead of 5 full days.

maggi · 27/12/2008 00:41

The government only provide funding for 15 hours each week. Whether the setting provides food is up to them but since the funding is for education they have every right to charge for food. Any hours above 15 will definatly have to be paid by parent except where social services have placed the child in the setting.

If you're interested the council here pays just £3.50 per hour to the setting. Sounds alot but with wages and overheads there is little left. No wonder only the leader needs decent qualifications as they cant afford staff to have time off to attend training. So nearly all the staff have barely basic training. Did you know that accredited childminders are as qualified as the leaders and can offer education at a time to suit you and your child.

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