Nursery

I’ve not heard of anything like this. How many days is he due to go in once you’re back at work? Nurseries are private, as in they run from your payments and therefore you are in charge. If they need the numbers then take him in then for a taster hour and bring him home. It’s your choice how early you pick your child up, even if they are supposed to have them all day x

Hmmm. I haven’t heard of this either. And my son isn’t starting by a given date in January to be eligible for the funding. Anyway, if it’s a non negotiable, then perhaps you could look at it as a phased start. I’ve done that with both my boys. Gradually easing into sessions before starting their proper 3 full days. So as above, could he do just an afternoon or a morning, as a settling in thing, but therefore he’s on their roll for this headcount business, but not actually properly started?

He is doing 2 days a week but I asked if he could do 1 for those weeks bit they said he has to be in for the number of days he is doing for the headcount! I might question it again tomorrow but she seemed pretty adamant on it! It sounds like we would have to pay for the whole 2days a week but guess I can take him out earlier. Just feels earlier than I'd planned! Thank you

I work in nurseries, and from my experience, each council has a different process when it comes to funding. Several I've worked in did have a headcount day ahead of the new term to confirm total funded hours, so the nursery will be paid for the right amount of funding and to me it makes sense that date is before the 31st of Jan. I have, however, always had predicted hours and actual hours, which means any children due to start in the term, confirmed and space secure would be added to the predicted hours and later in the term actuals would be given and if there were any discrepancies the payment would be adjusted. From the experience, I would say your LO wouldn't have to start before the 31st to get the funding, but as said in the beginning, each council has their own process. Hope your LO settles well into his new setting 🙂

I was under the impression that as long as you were back to work and your baby in nursery by 31st Jan, you got the funding from the day they start nursery, otherwise you have to wait until 1st April.

I cant comment on the process for free hrs etc as im in NI.. but as for baby starting nursery before you go back to work - it may actually be a good thing, first few weeks of settling can be hard, they may need lifted early or be unsettled etc - and it also gives you a chance to get used to it / have time to yourself before back to work - i had 2 weeks before i officially went back to work and i was glad of it in the end x