AIBU?
To think the 30 free hours should start when your job does
Advicewouldbelovelyta · 11/10/2018 15:45
So stressed right now 
I've been applying for jobs all summer, I've finally got one starting next week. I've applied for the 30 free hours and got the code BUT they've said the code doesn't activate till January!
They've said I should've applied before this term started but how can you apply before even getting a job??
Mammylamb · 11/10/2018 17:01
Hi, afaik the 30 hours isn’t related to whether you are working or not, but to the age of the child
buscaution · 11/10/2018 17:03
I don't understand your OP at all. Why do you have to wait 3 months?
Orangeyouglad · 11/10/2018 17:13
It should but there is no leeway at all the cut off dates are
Apply before 31st August for term September -December
Apply before 31 December for January March
Apply march 31 for April to July
If you apply after the cut off of 31 August, 31 December or 31 March it doesn’t start til the next term this is because the way of the funding works. Also remember if you do not renew your code within those three months and miss the cut off then you will loose out until the next funding term
hazeyjane · 11/10/2018 17:16
Depending on the age of your child there are deadlines, so I think if you missed the deadline of the end of August then this will be why.
SpottingTheZebras · 11/10/2018 17:17
Even if the OP’s DD is already 3 (and was born before 1 September), you have to apply for the funded hours at the start of every term.
OP, is your DD not already getting 15 hours though? So surely it is only an additional 15 hours that you won’t get until January.
Dauphinois · 11/10/2018 17:20
The 30 hour funding is absolutely related to whether parents work or not. If you don't work, you're not eligible for it.
Dauphinois · 11/10/2018 17:24
And yes, unfortunately you won't be able to use it until January - it's just how the scheme works.
To be fair it works the other way too - if you stop working mid term, the funding is honoured until the end of term, not cut off the minute you stop working.
Tanith · 11/10/2018 17:26
It's the Universal element - what used to be known as the Free Education Entitlement - that is free for all children from the term after their 3rd birthday. It's for 15 hours.
The Extended element is another free 15 hours on top of that for working parents.
Advicewouldbelovelyta · 11/10/2018 19:46
He is already 3 and will need to be in for 8 hours a day while I'm at work.
It's just frustrating that it's meant to help parents to be able to go to work but if you manage to get a job after the term starts then you have to wait for the 30 hours.
For me it's the difference between paying £50ish a week (with the 30 free hours) and £150ish a week until January.
Advicewouldbelovelyta · 11/10/2018 19:50
The problem being that my invoices for preschool will come before my first wage so covering it will be very difficult
cadburyegg · 11/10/2018 19:54
The deadlines are there to stop people applying ad hoc, because then it would be difficult and more expensive to administrate.
I sympathise but at least you will get the 30 hours. Plenty of providers are not able to offer it.
TangelasVine · 11/10/2018 19:59
Yes what Cadbury said. We qualify but no one can afford to offer it around here. It's a postcode lottery.
I do sympathise but if they gave it everyone that wasn't working then that would drive the cost up.
Oysterbabe · 11/10/2018 20:11
It's pretty crap anyway ime. Our place charges an extra £10 a day for food when you're using the free hours. With that and it actually only being 20 hours a week as it's term time only and prorataed, we barely save anything.
PaulDacrreRimsGeese · 11/10/2018 20:22
Did your child turn 3 this term OP, or are you saying that even if they're 3 before the term starts, if you start working you won't get the hours until the next term? If the latter, that seems like a barrier in the way of people returning to work.
Fishforclues · 11/10/2018 20:25
Firstly congratulations on getting the job!
It's not ideal I know, but I think you just need to take the long view, as you do with buying work clothes etc. It's still a good initiative, I wish it had been there when we were paying for nursery!
Advicewouldbelovelyta · 12/10/2018 12:05
PaulDacrreRimsGeese
He was 3 last November. I start work next week but because I didn't apply for the funding in august, he won't be funded until January.
greendale17 · 12/10/2018 12:06
@Mammylamb
Hi, afaik the 30 hours isn’t related to whether you are working or not, but to the age of the child
^This is wrong
Hi, afaik the 30 hours isn’t related to whether you are working or not, but to the age of the child
Hi, afaik the 30 hours isn’t related to whether you are working or not, but to the age of the child
Advicewouldbelovelyta · 12/10/2018 12:07
TangelasVine
I am starting a full time job next week, I only got offered the job a week ago. I wouldn't apply if I wasn't working as I thought it was to help parents be able to afford to go to work 
Advicewouldbelovelyta · 12/10/2018 12:09
Fishforclues
Thank you
I can cope with paying for work clothes, but my first childcare invoice (1 month before my first paycheck) is over £400 and that's due end of this month with him starting next week.
TangelasVine · 12/10/2018 12:12
It's because it operates termly. So 31st August is the cut off for 1st September. You can claim the 15 as that is universal. Plus you can get taxfree childcare now you are earning and the government top up 20% - it's the same online system.
Interestingly but probably a bit late for you. The first year of self employment is exempt from the earnings criteria. So a small amount of freelance whilst job hunting is a possibility for the gap. I realise not useful to you now but might be for others.
TangelasVine · 12/10/2018 12:22
And outside of term time you won't even get the 15 hours. So be prepared for big bills in months like August - depending on term dates.
Advicewouldbelovelyta · 12/10/2018 13:21
TangelasVine
I'll be working in a school so luckily I only need term time
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