Question about nursery funding hours

[CatchTheWind1920]

Hi everyone,

Hoping to move back to Scotland next summer after 15 years away and would like to ask about the nursery funding hours please.

My son will be 3.5 when returning and I'm looking at putting him in 3-5 half days a week to start with (I'll be at home the first year before going back to work so I'm flexible with nursery hours). I've been offered 3 half days a week (so 12hrs).

Is this eligible for the funding? I know it's max 22 hours all year, 30 term time but for some reason I have in my mind my son needs to attend for a minimum time as well? Or am I imagining that?

Thanks all

There is no minimum time. Most nurseries like to be told when your child will not be attending from a staffing ratio point of view (I guess they can try and save money where they can). Nursery is non compulsory though so you could sign up and then never attend if you really wanted to. So long as the nursery is council ran or is a council approved provider then your child will receive the funding for their place. The other caveat is that if its within Edinburgh Council area, you also need to live within Edinburgh. This local authority restriction doesn't currently apply anywhere else in the country.

That's helpful, thank you. It's good to know I don't have to put him in for any minimum amount of time and it's flexible.