School/ child care

She will get the 30 hours the term after she turns 3 so presuming you're talking about your may baby, it will be next September. This is when they generally start pre-school, although there is no legal obligation they have to go to pre-school but if you are working, I'm presuming you will need them to. So pre-schools attached to schools are usually the same hours as the school and term time. Pre-schools in nurseries are same as nursery hours and all through the year x

If it’s a case that your pay is only covering nursery fees and your husbands salary is still coming in I would continue working and pay the nursery fees needed because this is short term. We use a nursery 52 hours per week and it eats half my pay but I’m just biding my time until we get the 30 hours in September 25’ and it will feel like a huge pay rise. It’s rubbish but try not to panic. I also worry about when he goes to school and how I will get holidays covered and after school hours but there will be a way, whether that’s taking paid or unpaid leave, breakfast and after school Club, child minder etc. Don’t give up your career just yet. Nursery and pre-school are the same. My son will just stay at his nursery that’s open all year round until he starts school. There will be lots of kids in their class all going to the same school xxx

After they start at reception, there's usually holiday clubs they can do which are a lot cheaper than nursery days. Don't forget to claim tax free childcare, it can pay for nursery, after school care and holiday clubs. If you stick with a year round nursery then the funded hours are about 22 hours each week but all year. You should check with each nursery though as they all charge different top up fees. A childminder might be more cost effective.