government aid in reception

[jainmahee]

Hi
My ds will be going to reception next year. We have chosen independent school. can anyone suggest if government provide aid, like 15 hours free in nursery, in reception. I was told in school however I have a doubt in that.

Thanks in advance.

I don't think they do, or all reception kisds woud be in after school club fir 3 hours per day

No, but you can get childcare vouchers for wraparound care if your employer and childcare provider both participate in the scheme.

You may be able to put childcare vouchers towards after school clubs etc.

No.
The government does provide schooling for all Reception age children. If you choose to opt out of that, that is entirely up to you, but they offer a (state) school place or nothing. If you choose not to take it, then they don't offer an alternative subsidy for a private school option.

You used to be able to, but not sure if they closed that loophole.

The funding stopped when a child reached statutory school age (ie the term after their 5th birthday). If they entered a state reception class, then the school was deemed to be providing the 15hrs education so the funded 15hrs was used up in school. If a child wasn't in a state reception class, then they were't using their funded 15 hours so the funding could be offset against the school fees util the child reached statutory school age.

If you are paying school fees and aren't going to be sending your child to a state school after, then yes they do until the term after your child turns 5. My DS has just finished kindergarten at his private school, and the school provided the forms to fill in each term. You can use your 15 hours either just for the school, or split the hours between two providers.

Some schools offer this until the term in which they're 5. It varies from school to school so you'll need to ask.

Having googled, it might depend on the LA rather than the school. I can see one LA that doesn't fund children in reception classes, but there are plenty that still do.

If it's the school that have told you that you can use the funding, then I don't think they have misinformed you.

Mine are in an independent school. I get back just under £2000 for a full year for kg and then it's paid till the term after they turn 5 in reception.

I think it's entirely up to individual schools whether they offer this to parents.

We got it 2 years ago.

If the school is registered with their LA as a setting which provides early education, then yes you can claim ELG for as long as your DC is of the qualifying age.

And IIRC the school must not be academically selective.

Backforgood that is incorrect.

There is no requirement for a child to attend reception, some prefer child to stay in nursery eg whilst waiting for a school place to come available.

We did claim the 15 hours for DD in reception at a private school. She turned 5 in Jan so was eligible for 2 terms worth, summer borns got 3. The school organised it and knocked it off their fees.

The LA did try and say you couldn't but I sent them an email and they paid. All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours funded education in England.

If you choose to keep your child at nursery not reception or a private school you can claim it if the school or nursey is a registered provider. You can't have the 3 hours in addition to a state school place.

DD's school was as it has a nursery which accepts the funding.

If you can get the childcare vouchers through work (£243 a month) then our school happily accepted these towards fees until start of term after DD turned 5 as under 5 it it classed as childcare not schooling.

DD's isn't selective

Our independent school isn't selective either.

I claimed the 15hrs against DS's independent school fees for all of his Reception year last year (summer born). Worked out at about £800 off per term.