Nursery funding deadlines

[Gbrl]

Hi
I tried to register my son, who was 3 in February, with a local private nursery, hoping to get the free 15 hours per week entitlement. The nursery head said I can't get the grant now, but mentioned the summer term.
We need the nursery now, so can anyone please advise if there is anything I can do (except paying, of course)?
Thank you

Some areas are still only 12.5 hours funded, rising to 15 in September. There would have been a deadline for the nursery to register those eligible for funding this term with LA , which you may well have missed now. Your ds was eligible for it from the beginning of this term but it might be you could now only claim from September with you paying in the meantime. You may however be able to claim Tax Credits towards the cost if you are working.

Thank you very much Lizs.

I don't know about elsewhere in the country but the headcounts day (day when NEF applications need to be sent in) in Coventry was yesterday - 20th May, so children can be added to applications and receive funding up to and including this date. There is also a procedure to add late arrivals but this tends to be just for looked after children, travellers etc. It might be worth asking what your local headcount day is.

Sorry to intrude, but I was just wondering if anyone knows what happens if you relocate? My DS is currently using his NEF hours (was 3 in Feb) but we are planning to relocate up the country by September (but don't know where to!). Any idea what we would do then if we wanted him to have NEF funding?

Our headcount day was 6th May but all this means is that the nursery cannot claim the money from County. They are not allowed to refuse you a place if they have one just because they will not get the funding and will get into trouble with County if they do so. Neither are they allowed to charge you for the place. This happenend to me when I moved areas with a 3.5 yr old and got presented with a large bill.

I know this sounds hard on the Pre-Schools but if a child moves away the day after head count day they are entitled to keep the money for the full funding period so it works both ways.

These are the rules in Northants and am assuming others are the same - would recommend you give the Early Years team at your County Council a call to check the rules.