nursery places for 3 year olds?

[jules1968]

my son is 3 in september. we have a fantastic state run nursery within the local primary school. I have put his name down but was told he wont start until he's nearly 4 due to the fact that his birthday is on the 30th and they only do one intake per year now so as it is a couple of weeks b4 his 3rd birthday, he'll miss out. he is a very bright child and i feel he could do with nursery a little sooner than this, however, private run nursery is too expensive for us. I was told about government funded nursery places for 3 - 4 year olds. would he be eligable for this or not seeing as he will have a place at the school when he's 4? i was thinking it would be useful if i could get him in for a year, Does anyone know how this system works?

[x_amy_x]

They Same Happened With My Son As His Birthday Is The 5th September Nowhere Would Take Him, Even If They Has Spare Places. I Think Its Wrong. With The Government Fund I Think You Will Still Have To Pay Towards It Also.

[curiosity]

From age 3 I think nationally now (Our council have done it for years) every child is entitled to 15 hours per week nursery placement, if the school does not have spaces, you can use the time at private run nurseries. However I would check with each of the nurseries how this works, because some have a minimum booking, which may go over the 15 hours and therefore you would end up making up the rest. I think I'm right in saying that the child needs to be registered at the nursery, before the day in September when the council ask for the names of all the 3 yearolds entitled to the scheme (which apparently changes). It might have changed, this was how it was 18 months ago.

[curiosity]

Just to add to that, I got my daughter in a playgroup which only ran for 3 hours per day, so we were totally covered by the vouchers for Mon-Fri.

[sunflower68]

Hi there jules. I hope this helps http://www.direct.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/EarlyLearningForUnderFives/NurseriesPlaygroupsReceptionClasses/NurseriesPlaygpsRecepClassesArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10016103&chk=wNkmDw

Things keep changing regarding the rules and regs but I remember my little girl (who is 7 on 30th Sept!) being ready for nursery and there not being a facility. Luckily there are more availabilities now.

[jules1968]

thqank you all so much. i feel a bit more positive now and will look into it.

[lou 26]

Hi Jules, Im just looking in to it as we speak as my daughter is nursery on a government funded placement but I have just had a letter from the nursery stating that as the current term is 12 weeks and the government only pay for 11 I have to pay for this week! Not good news as I wasnt expecting to pay anything! Have just looked on the sure start website and on there it states that as from 1st April 2006 all 3 and 4 year olds are entitiled to free early years education comprising of 12.5 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. Free places can be provided by a variety of providers in the maintained, private, voluntary and independent sectors. I looked at my local councils website and on there it gave me a list of which nurseries accepted government funding. In my situation on seeing the above ifo Im totally confused now as Ive been told to pay for this week but the government funding has changed from 33 weeks per year to 38! So why do I have to pay? Oh well i'll maybe save my whinge for another thread! Hope the above has helped.

[jules1968]

Thanks so much Lou26, its all very confusing isn't it. i am gonna ring my local council and see whats what cause no doubt it depends where you live aswell! Thanks .

[lou 26]

lol jules, it is confusing, i dont think I'll ever sleep again! Good luck with your mission! x

[lou 26]

p.s. sorry for not posting this earlier but here is the sure start website address, its worth looking on there too

http://www.surestart.gov.uk/