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[cosmopolitanmum]

A school i went to see recently mentioned something about 3 yearolds being entitiled to a certain number of hours of "free education" is this only for the borough of Wandsworth? is this means tested?
Just wondere if anyone has any info on this?
Thanks!

[twice_as_nice]

I'm sure there are others that know more about it but heres what I know...

As far as I know, it's a national thing. I think it's 3 hours per day day, for 5 days a week, pro rated if you do less than the 5 days. It's about £600 I think and so if the nursery is more expensive than that then you need to top it up as it were. State school nurseries are free.

You get it from the term after your child turns 3. My girls are born 3 days after the start of the summer term, so they won't get it until the following September annoyingly!

I think most nurseries take the cost off before you pay (i.e. it's not something you need to apply for yourself). Not sure if it applies to other forms of childcare, like childminders (might).

I know that there are some nurseries that definitely don't do it so definitely worth asking at the nursery your child goes to / will go to.

[susanwalker]

Blundells Traditional Teaching Nursery in Battersea (behind the Latchmere swimming centre) offer a place for grant funded children. The grant is automatically applied for by the nursery if a child is three years old. I receive 15 hours of free education ( three hours a day five days a week but I know that this offer is flexible, some parents do three days a week five hours a day morning or afternoon sessions. The grant is £780.00 per term - three term's a year until the child is five years old. My child is full time so I do pay a top up fee but I know that they accept children just for the grant hours. My son is now reading and writing three letter words - it is wonderful and he is only four years old! They have a website www.blundellsdaynursery.co.uk. Take a look!