Nursery free entitlement/ part time charging

[Hollybush]

I know top up fees have been discussed before and although they shouldn't be charged, it is common practice. But we seem to be paying over the odds for our part time place - grateful for any advice from others in a similar situation on whether this is something we have to live with or is worth arguing about. Sorry it is a bit technical and boring but I'm hoping it makes sense to people in same situation...

Our 3 year old is doing 3 days at a Southwark Early Years Centre - approx 24 hours, of which 15 should be 'free'. NB this is run by local authority so not an expensive private nursery. Southwark are charging over ?90 per week for the 3 day place even after the discount for the free hours. The rate for a full time place is about ?150 - with the three day rate being calculated as three fifths of the full time rate. A child doing 2 days would still pay ?60 per week.

Southwark say the Free Early Years Entitlement discount is already factored into the basic ?150 full time rate. If this is the case, calculating the part time fees on a pro rata basis surely means that part time children are only getting part of the discount. But everyone should be entitled to same amount of free care.

I'm going to contact Southwark directly and maybe try to get some advice from DCSF as well - not sure if this is all a waste of time!

[Hollybush]

Having another go incase anyone with experience of this is around today. Sorry to bore everyone!

[Mellors]

I agree with you, I don't think the free entitlement should be pro-rated.

You have 9 hours above your free entitlement of 15 hours, so you should just be paying for these.

My nursery in Nunhead would just charge you for these @ ?5 per hour, so it would be ?45?

No idea how you go about sorting it out though, sorry!

[Hollybush]

Thanks Mellors - is that a private nursery in Nunhead? If private nurseries can manage to do it then surely Southwark ought to in its own facilities!