Living Arrows 30/53 (2018)

We made it to the summer holidays but if I’m being honest it hasn’t been the relief I was hoping for. Since we picked Toby up from school at 2pm on Friday the boys have done nothing but squabble and whinge! I’m really hoping that when the end of term tiredness has worn off a bit they both settle down, otherwise it’s going to be a very long 6 weeks!

Gabe finished at his preschool on Wednesday – they had a party and then parents were asked to collect them half an hour early and the children were all given a certificate. It was actually Gabe’s last day ever at this preschool – he’s been going there since last September and has (mostly) enjoyed it. But it’s only open for 18 hours a week, and as Gabe is going to be 3 next month we will be entitled to the 30 hours funded childcare so he’s moving to a different nursery for 3 full days a week so we can take advantage of it.

I don’t normally get emotional at these things but one of the teachers was leaving after having been at the preschool for 19 years, everyone was crying and even I had a tear in my eye! Gabe wasn’t bothered though – he was just happy to get his certificate…

Gabe with his end of term certificate from preschool

I was expecting tears from Toby on his last day in Reception but we didn’t have any. It was a long last week for him, and every day he was saying he didn’t want to go, and clinging to me at drop off which he hasn’t really done since the first month of school back in September. I think he’s really going to miss his Reception teacher and TA but hopefully he’s going to enjoy the challenge of Year 1 too. First though we need to make it through the holidays….

Toby on his last day in Reception

Living Arrows

10 thoughts on “Living Arrows 30/53 (2018)

  1. Oh no! Sorry to hear you haven’t gotten off to the best start. I’m sure they’ll be loving it once they get into the school holiday spirit!

  2. I don’t really understand the funded hours – how do you know if you’re entitled to 30?

    Crossing my fingers for you that after a few relaxed days, the boys will be best buds for the rest of the summer! Xx

    #LivingArrows

    1. So all children get 15 hours funded from the term after their 3rd birthday. To get the 30 hours both parents (if you live together) need to be working at least 16 hours / week at minimum wage. If you’re self employed then you need to earn the equivalent amount which works out just over £120 a week. But you don’t have to earn that much every week as long as you earn enough over 12 months. It seems very complicated but it’s not really. The only thing I don’t know is how they check how much you’re earning if you’re self employed.

    2. If you google 30 hours funding there’s an eligibility check on the government website.

      If you are eligible you get given a funding code that you need to pass on to your childcare provider along with your national insurance number. Then every term you have to log in and reconfirm your eligibility. If you don’t do this you will fall into a grace period and will only be able to claim the 15 hours for that term.

  3. I think the children get so tired by the end of the school year, it must be so hard for them to try and hold it together! Hope you have a good first week of the holidays after everyone’s had a chance to relax a bit! x #LivingArrows

  4. The end of his preschool sounds so emotional and the last week of term was exhausting wasn’t it? I’d forgotten just how tired they get! x

  5. Ahh Gabe looks very happy holding his certificate bless him! I am sure Toby will love Year 1 – my youngest is also starting Yr 1 in September too! #LivingArrows

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *