Pre school 1 to 1 support

[user1467117083]

Hi

I was after some advice. My DS is 3.5 and currently attends a preschool setting. We qualify for the new free 30 hours childcare scheme and our area is an early adopter and the places started after the Easter break. My son gets 15 hours 1-1 support under the element 3 funding formula. The preschool is happy to increase his hours to 30 hours per week, However, they are stating the element 3 funding needs to increase to 30 hours to facilitate the 1-1 support working with my son. The preschool has stated that they are not able to increase his hours without the 1-1 support.

I have spoken to the local authority and they have stated by law the element 3 funding is for 15 hours. My son I feel is now being discriminated against due to his disability (Autism) He has a official diagnosis and receives DLA at the high care component.

My view is that if a child without a disability gets 30 hours free care then surely my son should also be entitled to this.

We are in the process of getting an EHCP, but this can take 20 weeks and I really don’t want him to miss out on pre shool as he is making good progress there.

Any help or suggestions would be great.

Thanks
Max

My child is 3.5 too and attends pre school with 15 hours 1-1. From September it's going up to the new 30 hours EY funding and I've been told that his 1-1 funding will match it. Otherwise like you say, it's discrimination. Maybe it's cos you're an early adopter? Have you asked what the situ is from September? Who told you the 1-1 was capped at 15h?