When will my child start nursery?

You mean school?
It's normally reception term after he turns 4 and then has to be full time by the term after he turns 5.

No I mean nursery, I’m wondering if they just started my brother late to be honest. 4 seems a bit old to start nursery 🙈 so should he start nursery in 2024? When he’s 3/just about to turn 3? I think I’m making it more complicated than it is x

Nursery is a complete choice.. kids don't HAVE to go to nursery. But depending on the nursery they can go from as early as 3 months old...

If you're not needing it for the childcare you don't need to do it at all, and it can be very costly too.
My boy isn't in nursery and I don't know if I will send him. He's 2 now (August baby so easy for school starting) and I'll be on mat leave until he's 3.

thank you so much xxx

If in Scotland as of January xx

Pre school (I.e reception) would be when your child is 3 in August but turning 4 on 12/09.

For primary 1 he will be 4 in August turning 5 on 12/09. He will be one of the oldest in the class.

There is an option to do pre pre school but only if there are available spaces. I think they accept the oldest to youngest so may not get a space. I think for this you have to pay but worth reaching out to them. 2 in August turning 3 on 12/09.

I think pre school is only on for a half day so you would have to make other arrangements for childcare if you work.

You get 30hrs free funding for public nursery when baby turns 3. It’s designed to get them ready for a school setting, but I don’t think you need to use the hours.

@Jordan
Also, it's not exactly free.. there's subsidiaries to pay for, it will make it cheaper than without at all though

subsidiaries such a meals etc?

I'm not sure of the exact, but I've seen people say even with 30 free hours and only using 30 hours they still have to pay 1/2 to 2/3 of the price it would cost without the funded hours.
My boy isn't in nursery, and if he does go, I'll be going for the - up to 85% from UC.
The nursery doesn't actually get enough money from the government from funded places so they have to make it up somewhere.

I’m assuming that’s for any extra hours they may need. Depending on the nursery and whether they’re term time only or not, even though it’s 30hrs, it works out about 22.8hrs free after holidays are taken in to account. Anything over that that’s needed will need to be subbed by the parents at private nursery, or the same if they offer extra hours.

I have family that only use their funded hours and pay nothing over and above as they need no extra childcare. It’s purely based on circumstances and potentially the nursery they go to, but the whole point in funded hours is that parents don’t need to pay more. X

@Jordan that's very lucky for you family, I'm just going on what multiple people have told me about their experiences.
But also whilst I do understand people have to use them, I couldn't myself knowing how it actually has a negative effect on the nursery money wise.

unfortunately people don’t have the option of not using them due to costs. It’s definitely different for everyone!

@Jordan that's why I said I understand people have to.. though if they're working there's the up to 85% with UC as well that's possible.

I appreciate that. Not everyone is entitled to UC either though if they work and earn a certain amount so I think you need to be careful telling people that too. I work and I’m not entitled to anything from UC. I currently get 20% off tax free through the government but that’s all x

& thank you so much this has been a big help xxx

My girl is on 17th August 2021. She will be in the nursery next year for one year and then turn to reception.