1140hrs - Nursery

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Can anyone help me with how to choose a nursery for DS? He's not long turned 2 and I read on the council's website that I should apply now for his place for next year. Problem is, I don't know where to start!

I know you pick 3 nurseries, fill in an application form and hand it in to your first choice along with DC's birth certificate. What I don't get is how I find out which private nurseries offer funded places and what hours they offer.

The primary school he'll be attending only do the 48 week model but I don't want him doing 3 x 9.5hr days. I'd prefer he did half days.

The council website and nursery websites I've looked at don't provide the info I'm looking for.

I'd be grateful if someone could give me some advice or point me in the right direction.

Cheers.

I think you'd be better saying what area of Scotland you are from to get more specific advice. I am in Scotland but for August next year, I don't have to apply till the beginning of next year and it's all done online with a list of applicable nurseries.

In my area most nurseries do accept some form of funded hours. I'd start researching nurseries, find the ones you like and then phoning them directly to ask

Contact the nurseries direct. Private nurseries usually have all their spaces allocated before the council forms go in so it's unlikely you'll get what you want unless you're on their books and registered before then. They'll be able to tell you their availability etc too.

Thanks. I'm in Edinburgh so a million and one options, it's a bit overwhelming.

I'd consider what nurseries are closest to the primary school your child will go to, and then contact those. Whilst you won't be guaranteed he'll move up to school with others, it gives a better chance which you might be grateful for when the time comes.

Hi I work in Edinburgh and our setting is term time and we offer 30 hours per week. So they do full days Mon-Thurs and half day Friday. But we are flexible on what suits the child. Many children when they first start come until 12.30 because a lot of them clocked they were missing lunchtime. Then as time goes on they asked to do longer despite parents not being ready. We had children who were 4 who would do 2 afternoons too but the term before school they came full time. Every nursery works differently so it is best enquiring as I know some are now changing post covid.

I’ve added the link to the early years page which should help you find the partnership nurseries too. Any other questions feel free to ask.

Edinburgh Nursery

How does the funding work if your children are at a private nursery? Currents my child is in 5 days a week and this costs £1,145 a month. What does it go down to when f
he becomes eligible for a funded place after his 3rd birthday? I’m struggling to work it out.

Thanks very much for this! I'll have a wee look at the link.

It really depends how your nursery works and what they charge for top-up fees etc. DD is £168 a month for three full days a week across 48 weeks of the year.

You’d be best asking your current nursery. When I worked in private they put the yearly funding on to the child’s annual bill and divided by 12. so you paid less monthly.

Some of my friends paid full fees and were refunded when payment was made to the nursery.