How do I get a free nursery place for my son?

Question

I think there is a nice nursery near me but the Government website isn't really very clear. It keeps saying free place but how do you get it? My son is 3 on 31st Dec and it says he is entitled of 1st january. he is an only child so I really want him to do , say, 2 mornings a week but I can't afford to pay full price at all. So do you get a voucher or do you negotiate it with the nursery or do you have to send him to specific nurseries? I have no idea . Also I guess you have to get his name down quickly?

Anyone who can help me I would be very grateful!

Thanks

Emma

Answer 1

You need to speak to the nursery - they will be able to give you the forms, and while they are commonly known as "vouchers" what actually happens is that the nursery is paid directly by the council. And yes, do it quickly because there's likely to be a waiting list at any popular nursery.

Nurseries don't have to be part of the scheme - but most will be.

Answer 2

I would advise you to go into the nursery and talk to the manager.  My son was already in nursery when he became entitled to the free nursery sessions and they have a form that is filled in jointly by yourself and the nursery.  I think it applies to all nurseries, my son was in a nice private one, so the best thing to do is speak to the nursery of your choice, see if they have sufficient places and sort it out from there.  Good luck!

Answer 3

Your child is entitled to full time nursery (5 x 2.5 hours a week) free from the term after his 3rd birthday, so when the schools/nurserys go back after christmas for your son.  What you need to do, is contact your local nursery's and ask if they have places left, then you ask if it is government funded places (not all nurserys work on government funding), then you ask for a registration/enrolement form to complete for your son.  They will process the form and confirm/decline you sons placement.

Although the website says 5 terms for 3-4 years old, some authorities will pay an extra year if they are trying to promote deferment to P1 for younger pupils.  Where I am, they would rather a child be 5/6 rather than 4/5 before starting school, so they pay for an extra year at nursery to increase attainment at P1.

I would recommend you apply for more than 1 at a time then you can choose later and decline places.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

All children from the age of three are entitled to a free government nursery place.

Just contact the nursery you want and fill in a form..........the sooner the better.

Answer 5

You can always nagotiate on just about everything you purchase.

  You can call your department of human services for information on childcare assistance. I know in my situation they made me go after my son's father for child support. That wasn't what I really wanted to do, but it's the channels I had to go through.

  Call the daycare as well. There will probably be a waiting list you need to get your kiddo on. Good luck!

Answer 6

What country are you in? In America there's no such thing as a free nursery or free daycare. In Alaska we had something called "Daycare Assistance" for low income parents where the state paid for most of it, but other than that I've never heard of it in any other state.  

Answer 7

hi, you can use the vouchers at playgroups as well if its more suited to you.

A good website to check out what's out there is this one

http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/index.as...

check your local forums out and ask advice.  You can find out what other parents think of the nursery as well.  

Just turn up at nursery without an appt.  You are more likely to get a glimpse of what its really like there that way.

hope your little ones enjoys themselves.  

Answer 8

The nursery sort it all out...call then to make an appointment to visit...then they will offer him a place if there is one....then when he attends they give you a form to sign so they can get the money from the council.....he could do more than 2 mornings if you like...I think the max is 5.....but the nursery do all the paperwork as far as money goes.