Free Early Years Education, 15hrs - when does it actually stop??

[Thefirstime]

If paying for a nursery and making use of the 15 hours.. which we have been..

DD going into a private prep school, Reception class this Sept and she turns 5 in October- do we still qualify for the hours until the end of that term? (Dec 23) or until her actual birthday in October?

am I still eligible to claim those hours until she is 5 (compulsory school age)??

thanks! New to this!

No.

She has to start school by Januay (term after her 5th birthday). If she stays in nursery until then they can continue to claim 15 hrs funding. I don't think this is what you are asking though. The 15 hrs funding cannot be used towards private reception class fees.

No.
It stopped last week.

It stops now your child is starting Reception. The school year has ended so your 15 hours for the first year of Early Years is finished.
All children are entitled to a state funded Reception year. If you choose to go to a private school then you pay.

As of next term you have to be in nursery to claim it. Quite right too really, even though we claimed it for 2 terms of reception fees with DD (just finished Y1) I always thought it was a completely ridiculous loop hole in the first place so I’m fine with not getting it for DS when he starts school!

Actually this is incorrect. My daughter is going to a Private Prep school and we can claim the 15 hours while she is in Reception for all 3 terms as she isn't 5 until late May. We receive it as a reduction on the tuition fees. However as your daughter is 5 in October I don't think you'll be able to claim them.

I stand corrected. I didn't think you could but it seems that you can.

This is wrong I’m afraid- it’s literally just changed to when your child starts reception or reaches compulsory school age (if that comes later than your child starting reception ie deferral and staying on at nursery). So no you won’t get the funding next term if your child is enrolled in reception.

How weird. I was literally talking to the bursar about this a month ago and she didn't mention anything about it changing!

It’s right here:

The free early education and childcare:

• must be with an approved childcare provider
• stops when your child starts in reception class (or reaches compulsory school age, if later)

https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds

I hadn’t heard officially about it changing either even though my youngest will be starting at the school nursery this Sept the school have said nada. Like you I assumed we could claim it again into reception like we did with DD but talking to mums in the playground who have their younger ones about to start reception apparently it is no more and that’s on top of the 10% fee hike 😬

I can’t bring myself to be annoyed about it though, it was a ridiculous loop hole and definitely not the best use of early years funding.

Thank you!!