An Idiot's Guide to Starting School?

I know about the 3-year-old thing, I'm just trying to find out if there's anything like what my brother-in-law said, which was for under-3's.

There is a child care portion to the Child Tax Credit: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCreditsandChildBenefit/TaxCredits/Gettingstarted/Claimingtaxcredits/childrenandchildcare/DG_172898 and as far as I know there is no lower age limit to it.

Thanks, that seems to be what I'm looking for, although since I'm a stay-at-home mom, making childcare unnecessary, I'm not sure it would be covered. Do you think I'd need to call the tax credits office about it, or someone else?

Here's a bit more info about early learning and playgroups:  http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Preschooldevelopmentandlearning/NurseriesPlaygroupsReceptionClasses/DG_10016103 and offsetting the cost.

If you're looking for something for both of your children to be involved in, but don't want to pay a mint you may want to have a look at NetMums to see what playgroups, nurseries and preschools are in your area, even if it's just a group that meets once or twice a week, most playgroups only cost about a £1-2 either per child or for both together (usually most have a set fee for one child, with a reduced rate for additional children), this way you get some adult interaction as well.     http://www.netmums.com/home/home/ - One thing to be wary of with NetMums is that if you live in a strange area (like I do, postally we're under Sheffield, Council-wise under Rotherham (so's our village listing  )...) you'll have to manually get yourself to your local page to find what's really on in your area.   

I agree with this. Get your grumpy 9 month old interacting with other kids and kill two birds with one stone. I had a 6 month old and a 2 year old in playgroup 4-5 times a week and it was a godsend. Good for you two so you can meet other mums and make some friends and get a bit of a break.... 9 months is a good age to plop them down with a toy and some other kids and away you go...

If you're only hitch is a double stroller, try to find a second hand one in the local papers..I had one for £30 and was worth every penny.

Thanks, that seems to be what I'm looking for, although since I'm a stay-at-home mom, making childcare unnecessary, I'm not sure it would be covered. Do you think I'd need to call the tax credits office about it, or someone else?

Probably tax credits office would be the first place to start and they could refer you from there if need be.

I agree with this. Get your grumpy 9 month old interacting with other kids and kill two birds with one stone. I had a 6 month old and a 2 year old in playgroup 4-5 times a week and it was a godsend. Good for you two so you can meet other mums and make some friends and get a bit of a break.... 9 months is a good age to plop them down with a toy and some other kids and away you go...

If you're only hitch is a double stroller, try to find a second hand one in the local papers..I had one for £30 and was worth every penny.

I agree with Steph.  Go out and get a double stroller.  If I hadn't had one when my big kids were little I would have gone in-flippin-sane.  We did something every single day of the week-toddler group, toddler swim, gymboree,more toddlers.  And making friends with and talking to other Mums is how you find out how things work in your area.