Nursery funding for 3 year old

[Mamabear04]

Could someone please explain how nursery funding works for kids once they turn 3 years old. Does the nursery apply for it or do the parents? How many hours is it? Etc. Many thanks!

Private nursery or council run? It will be different for each local authority as well.

But mostly you apply and the term after the turn 3 they are entitled to the funding.
If it's a private nursery they apply on your behalf and you get a deduction on your bill, some will have additional caveats such as only certain sessions/hours are eligible.
For council nurseries you'll get 30hrs pw term time. Each LA will have different sessions for how the hours are divided up.

You can also get the choice or term time only or annualised hours. But really need more info on what setting you plan on using before anyone can comment.

So it depends on your council area to when you have to apply for it. In Aberdeenshire its the January before their 3rd birthday then every January after that. Angus is August before etc.
If a private nursery then you need to find out if they accept and are on the LA list.

If private you speak to the nursery and see what sessions they do. Generally it works out as being 2.5 days if attending all year. You then select the name of the nursery on the application form and the nursery do the rest. It does not cover everything so typically funded days you still pay towards costs of snacks etc.

If applying for a school nursery then you would select your chosen ones and preferred sessions. You then have to wait to find out if you were successful and what sessions offered. Typically it's morning or afternoon, some places manage to offer full days but none in my area do this.

I automatically got an email with the link to do the application online from my sons ELC as he had a 2s placement. Most other mums I know got them sent in the post or email from local council the January before they turn 3 and it gives you a list of the nurseries you can apply for including the private ones who take on certain amount of placements