Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

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

Original poster

30 hours childcare code

34 replies

Platano · 24/08/2024 14:55

I applied for the UK 30 hours childcare for Sep -Dec 2024 on the 17 August. It was the earliest I could have applied given my change of immigration status only a few days prior.
After applying I received a message to say it could take 7/10 days, so it’s likely I won’t receive it before the 31 August, when the nursery needs it for the September fees.
My question is, if I receive the code sometime in September, could I then still use it for the rest of the term, ie October, November and December, or do I have to wait until the January term?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Original poster
Platano · 26/08/2024 14:53

Update : I got the code this morning, so all good. I underestimated the HMRC - they’ve been pretty quick with most things to be honest!

OP posts:
Snozzlemaid · 25/08/2024 22:45

No, all done by HMRC here in England.
Local Authorities don't have the required information on parent's earnings to decide eligibility, so all decisions and codes issued by them centrally.

Mostunexpected · 25/08/2024 22:18

Snozzlemaid · 25/08/2024 18:47

Are you in Wales?
That's why it's different as each country has its own childcare offer.

Yes I'm in Wales. I know we have our own childcare offer but I just assumed in England it would still be done by the local authority rather than centrally. I feel like that makes more sense!

Looneytune253 · 25/08/2024 20:00

Snozzlemaid · 25/08/2024 18:21

@Mostunexpected Could you give the link to the website for the LA who issue these 30 hour codes, please?
I'd be very interested to see how one LA does it differently to everyone else.

There's possibly confusion as hmrc give out the codes but the funding is claimed from the local authority direct.
Also I'm not 100% but I think you apply directly through the LA for the old 2 year old funding for deprived children. Don't think hmrc get involved in that side of it.

Snozzlemaid · 25/08/2024 18:47

Are you in Wales?
That's why it's different as each country has its own childcare offer.

Snozzlemaid · 25/08/2024 18:43

Would you mind saying which LA this is, please?

Snozzlemaid · 25/08/2024 18:42

Thank you, that's really interesting.

Mostunexpected · 25/08/2024 18:35

This is from the guidance documents about the childcare offer.
I was really surprised it’s different but then we get 30 hours for 48 weeks of the year so I suppose it’s got to be done separately

30 hours childcare code
Snozzlemaid · 25/08/2024 18:34

@Platano If you want to chase it up you can speak to HMRC on 0300 1234 097

If your code has a start date of later than 31st August it's highly likely you won't be able to use it in the autumn term.
However, some LAs will accept codes issued after the deadline, so it would be worth checking this with your own LA.
Fingers crossed you get it issued before the end of August so you don't encounter any problems.

Snozzlemaid · 25/08/2024 18:21

@Mostunexpected Could you give the link to the website for the LA who issue these 30 hour codes, please?
I'd be very interested to see how one LA does it differently to everyone else.

Original poster
Platano · 25/08/2024 15:16

Tulip8 · 25/08/2024 15:02

Lots and lots of misinformation here. Parents who don't really understand the nuances of the system shouldn't really be giving advice.

There seems to be a lot of nuance to this system!

My strategy is to speak to the nursery this week (dd has been there for a year already, and they’ve always been helpful), and if they aren’t sure, I’ll try call the local council, but I’m not sure they’ll be much help.

Anything else you think I should do? If the code does come back with a later issued date, I’ll follow up on appealing.

OP posts:
Tulip8 · 25/08/2024 15:02

Lots and lots of misinformation here. Parents who don't really understand the nuances of the system shouldn't really be giving advice.

BetFreda · 25/08/2024 12:11

Call your local council early years team. PPs are correct that they don’t issue the codes but they will be able to advise on best course of action and have some descetiin around headcount. Not all LAs headcount dates are the same.

Original poster
Platano · 25/08/2024 11:54

Mostunexpected · 25/08/2024 10:51

Here local authorities access and process all applications. It’s specifically says so on the website.
I called my council, they looked up my application, and approved it there and then.
However as I don’t live anywhere near OP that’s not really relevant to her

Show quote history

I live in Cambridgeshire, for what it’s worth.

OP posts:
Mostunexpected · 25/08/2024 10:51

Snozzlemaid · 25/08/2024 04:28

They probably just checked it and confirmed it was valid for you, as it's the same throughout the country.
Local Authorities don't have access to the applications or your details to issue or reconfirm 30 hour codes. But if you give them your code and NI number they can check the dates for you.
The only codes issued by Local Authorities are for children in foster care or disadvantaged codes for 2 year olds.

Here local authorities access and process all applications. It’s specifically says so on the website.
I called my council, they looked up my application, and approved it there and then.
However as I don’t live anywhere near OP that’s not really relevant to her

Looneytune253 · 25/08/2024 08:03

You will need to check with the area. Technically the nursery will be able to claim the whole term on their headcount even if it's late BUT (and this is important) if it's late it may not come till the end of the term and some nurseries will not be able to wait for it. It really will be up to them whether they are willing to take it late. Also bear in mind the initial headcount date has passed in my area (they're not all the same tho) so you may be in this predicament regardless.

Snozzlemaid · 25/08/2024 04:28

They probably just checked it and confirmed it was valid for you, as it's the same throughout the country.
Local Authorities don't have access to the applications or your details to issue or reconfirm 30 hour codes. But if you give them your code and NI number they can check the dates for you.
The only codes issued by Local Authorities are for children in foster care or disadvantaged codes for 2 year olds.

Mostunexpected · 25/08/2024 00:39

Apologies, I didn’t realise it would be different where I live. They definitely approved mine when I called them (but HMRC have nothing to do with it here)

Snozzlemaid · 24/08/2024 23:41

Mostunexpected · 24/08/2024 20:24

When I was applying I called the council for advice and she told me to call back when I’d submitted my application and she would approve it and sort my code on the spot.
It’s worth calling them and asking for more info, if you explain they might be able to sort if more quickly

The 'council' don't issue these codes and won't be able to approve your code.
HMRC deal with the applications, so you would need to speak to them instead.

BetFreda · 24/08/2024 21:23

Ask for Early Years funding. The council should have their details on their website.

Original poster
Platano · 24/08/2024 21:21

Mostunexpected · 24/08/2024 20:24

When I was applying I called the council for advice and she told me to call back when I’d submitted my application and she would approve it and sort my code on the spot.
It’s worth calling them and asking for more info, if you explain they might be able to sort if more quickly

Do you remember which council department you called?

OP posts:
Original poster
Platano · 24/08/2024 20:49

Tulip8 · 24/08/2024 16:42

Codes need to be dated in or before 31st August to work for the autumn term though.

Show quote history

I managed to find this pdf online, which seems to indicate that if the issue date is after the start of the term, then the parent can only claim the hours from the next term.

I guess I just need to ask the nursery if they can help…

OP posts:
Mostunexpected · 24/08/2024 20:24

When I was applying I called the council for advice and she told me to call back when I’d submitted my application and she would approve it and sort my code on the spot.
It’s worth calling them and asking for more info, if you explain they might be able to sort if more quickly

Tulip8 · 24/08/2024 20:20

They have issue dates and expiry dates.

Swipe left for the next trending thread