reception costs at state school

[neshi]

My DS is starting reception this September and he's 4 years old. Will we have to pay anything??
I read about free early years education, 15 hours (25 in camden...) so I'm a bit confused really....

No , just uniform and any basics. Early Years Funding is preschool/nursery/cm before Reception, assuming it is a state school.

Apart from buying their uniform, we had to pay £1 a week for fruit and a couple of £'s for a trip.

You'll be asked to pay for school trips but it is a voluntary contribution although the teacher will nag your child for the money if you don't pay

They might ask for a school fund contribution. It started as 50p a week then changed to £15 in one go for the year. It's voluntary though and I didn't pay it as money was tight.
Then of course there's the endless costumes and fundraisers throughout the year.

Thanks for the answers! So this I read about free early years provision is for nursery only, right?

Yes, the free 15 hours is for children age from 3 until they start reception.

Yes nursery only. Were you expecting to pay for school? Or is this a private school?

Yes. They can get 15 hours free pre-school/ nursery provision between 3 and 5 but because your DS is summer born he would only have been eligible for it last year. You pay nothing for education at a state school.

It is cheeky asking for money for fruit as all KS1/EYFS children receive a free piece of fruit daily from the government!

Uniform - but cheap, buy twice
Milk - need to pay once child is 5.
Dinners are free in Reception (and next 2 yrs) from Sept this year.
School trips (I have paid £10 and £18 this year)
Constant PTA fundraising requests
Constant charity collections
Paying to go to school concerts to see your child in a group of 20 for about 5 seconds
DS's school sponsors a child in Africa, and they are encouraged to bring in money for him. There is a trophy awarded for the class that raises the most each week!!!

Titchy, I was not sure really. Back in my country in some state schools you pay according to your income, although always very little...

Until now he has always been in private school so I'm still finding my way in the state school issues!