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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Applying for new 15 hours free childcare

59 replies

hipyy · 03/01/2024 16:56

Hi
Anyone trying to or already applied for the new 15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds for working parents?
We currently get tax free childcare but are now eligible for 15 hours free from April but haven't got a clue how to apply. The gov website just keeps sending me round in circles and don't know how to apply for it

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Penguinmouse · 13/05/2024 13:43

mummymummymummummum · 13/05/2024 13:25

As above - you need to wait until your next re confirmation. It’ll apply for the 15 hours automatically.

Perfect, thank you!

KateyCuckoo · 13/05/2024 13:26

Penguinmouse · 13/05/2024 13:15

I logged on today as got the email telling me to apply for 15 hours - we already use tax free childcare and the link took us through to that area but nowhere to apply for the code. Anyone else having that issue? We have an 18m old but will be eligible from September

If already signed up, you'll get the code next time you reconfirm your eligibility.

It's usually good etiquette to start your own thread.

mummymummymummummum · 13/05/2024 13:25

As above - you need to wait until your next re confirmation. It’ll apply for the 15 hours automatically.

Penguinmouse · 13/05/2024 13:15

I logged on today as got the email telling me to apply for 15 hours - we already use tax free childcare and the link took us through to that area but nowhere to apply for the code. Anyone else having that issue? We have an 18m old but will be eligible from September

KateyCuckoo · 28/04/2024 20:19

You'll have to wait until June then. It will depend on your reconfirmation 'cycle'. Your childminder is just hitting organised, tell her when your next confirmation date is and you'll pass on the code then.

Madgoat · 28/04/2024 20:11

Yeah my little one turned 3 in april so it will be for September start but it says I can't apply until June but I'm confused that my child minder is sending out the forms when I can't get a code yet?

So on the homepage of the childcare account will it automatically come up for me to apply?

KateyCuckoo · 28/04/2024 20:01

Madgoat · 28/04/2024 18:20

Hi,

I don't know if anyone else is having issues but I am trying to apply for the 30 free hours childcare.. I keep getting directed back to my childcare account to apply but there is no link for me to do it!

I originally set up the account as a tax free childcare account which then changed to 15hrs but I applied for this through the local city Council and it doesn't show on my account.

I'm going round in circles and am getting really frustrated. My childminder has given me the funding forms but I literally don't know where to get the code from!

Any help would be appreciated.

Is this for a September start?

The code will be automatically generated next time.you renew your eligibility. The tax free childcare and the funded hours are linked by the same eligibility criteria and confirmation.

Madgoat · 28/04/2024 18:20

Hi,

I don't know if anyone else is having issues but I am trying to apply for the 30 free hours childcare.. I keep getting directed back to my childcare account to apply but there is no link for me to do it!

I originally set up the account as a tax free childcare account which then changed to 15hrs but I applied for this through the local city Council and it doesn't show on my account.

I'm going round in circles and am getting really frustrated. My childminder has given me the funding forms but I literally don't know where to get the code from!

Any help would be appreciated.

Original poster
hipyy · 14/02/2024 07:29

I can't reconfirm until next week and have received my first code via post 😊

OP posts:
Crabbiscuits · 13/02/2024 19:31

I reconfirmed as usual (no additional form or anything) then went back on the homepage/menu "Your childcare service account" there was a new option to select called
"Free Childcare For Working Parents"
Clicked there and the code was there

MumAlwaysWorries · 24/01/2024 12:29

Yeah, everyone has to charge a top up otherwise it works out under minimum wage. Some nurseries will be splitting the allocation most likely across a full day and a half day so they can still earn on the half day (i.e. do a 10 hour day and a 5 hour day). It sucks but otherwise means our childcare practitioners end up on a slave rate if they rely on Government "promises".

Staels · 11/01/2024 07:43

when I spoke to my childminder back half of last year the gov funded amount they receive is less than their standard hourly rate.
childminders cant necessarily do money making initiatives like a nursery can so charge a top up, called admin fee, to make up the difference. If they didn’t it just wouldn’t be viable to accept gov funded places.
Unsurprisingly they also said they didn’t know the amount the gov would give under the new scheme.

RoofHelp · 11/01/2024 06:53

They cannot charge a 'top up' to their own funded rate but you can expect to pay for consumables your child uses whilst in their care.
But I'm aware that many do charge a 'top-up' to keep their business viable, as the funded rate is likely (but not always) to be less than their own hourly rate.

Original poster
hipyy · 10/01/2024 21:52

@KateyCuckoo it was just a question for some clarity as it is not explained anywhere I've read. As I said, not doubting that it's wrong but my child goes for less than the funded hours so just asking...

OP posts:
KateyCuckoo · 10/01/2024 21:31

hipyy · 10/01/2024 20:17

Can I also ask...
Do you have to pay top up on top of this? I'm told my childminder is only funded £x an hour and so I would be billed the remainder to make up for what we pay now (if that even makes any sense?). I'm sure it's right but just wanting to check as this is my first time doing this

Yes of course, why would any setting offer funding if they were going to be paid less than normal?

Original poster
hipyy · 10/01/2024 20:17

Can I also ask...
Do you have to pay top up on top of this? I'm told my childminder is only funded £x an hour and so I would be billed the remainder to make up for what we pay now (if that even makes any sense?). I'm sure it's right but just wanting to check as this is my first time doing this

OP posts:
Vikki1234 · 07/01/2024 22:26

Ok thanks.

I always do just being nice! Xxx

KateyCuckoo · 07/01/2024 22:12

Vikki1234 · 07/01/2024 22:03

Out of inerest and just being nosey! What is advanced search? xxx

The search function to look at posters' previous posts.

Out of interest and being very nosey! Why do you put kisses on your posts?

Vikki1234 · 07/01/2024 22:03

Out of inerest and just being nosey! What is advanced search? xxx

punjama · 07/01/2024 18:45

katmarie · 07/01/2024 18:01

You have to make a minimum amount per week to qualify, of £166.72 per week. You will need to evidence this income on your annual tax return. If you don't make the minimum income, then you will not qualify for the tax free element, and HMRC will seek to recover the money they have paid to you. So, feel free to try and game the system but I wouldn't mess about with HMRC.

hi thanks for this. the 166.72 figure is actually what helped me to find this which confirmed everything:

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/tax-free-childcare-technical-manual/tfc10150

suppose wasn't using the right keywords.

anyway to calm people down i've done my own research a bit more and to help answer others question - you can only have 1 start-up period every 5 years

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c8fd6e5274a7b7e321455/your_detailed_questions_about_tax-free_childcare_answered.pdf

TFC10150 - Self-employed person: start-up periods - HMRC internal manual - GOV.UK

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/tax-free-childcare-technical-manual/tfc10150

katmarie · 07/01/2024 18:01

You have to make a minimum amount per week to qualify, of £166.72 per week. You will need to evidence this income on your annual tax return. If you don't make the minimum income, then you will not qualify for the tax free element, and HMRC will seek to recover the money they have paid to you. So, feel free to try and game the system but I wouldn't mess about with HMRC.

Staels · 07/01/2024 17:58

I think it’s fair to assume the worst based on your intended actions and posts on this and other threads.

punjama · 07/01/2024 17:47

Staels · 07/01/2024 17:37

Having a business will also require you to be likeable and honest. Think hard if that’s for you 😀

i mean i dont need to be likable to a bunch of random strangers who want to assume the worst in people and then attack them.

as i said my own social circle have been encouraging me to do this for ages and the plan is for it to spread word of mouth initially based on the good work done.

anyway not sure why im even bothering to reply you do you and ill do me :)

Staels · 07/01/2024 17:37

Having a business will also require you to be likeable and honest. Think hard if that’s for you 😀

BiscuitsandPuffin · 07/01/2024 17:32

OneMoreTime23 · 07/01/2024 11:28

Advanced search is interesting.

Oh thank you yes it is.

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