Does anyone know the answer to this childcare question?! Panicking

[Neppl]

Due to some horrible circumstances I can barely afford nursery. I don’t qualify for anything, I’ve looked. But I can’t work out, best case scenario, when DD will be eligible for some free hours, and how many they will be? I know things could change etc but best case scenario? She’s two in November next year (2024).

Likely January 2025, the term after she’s 2.

@owwwfoot thank you. Do you know how many hours at that point?

Do you not even qualify for tax free childcare?

Best case is 15 free hours from September 2024 (assuming you earn under £100k). Completely depends on if it’s implemented and if it’s decided it’s means tested or not at a lower income level.

I don't know the details of the new scheme coming out, or even if it's out yet, but when my son turned 3, the following term he started nursery & got 15 hours free a week, as we didn't qualify for the free 30 hours due to me not working 16 hours a week. I thought 15 hours is mandatory/free for everyone?

Where do you live OP? The rules are different in England, Wales and Scotland.

Where are you based OP? I assume in the UK but it does vary - no free hours in NI, just tax free childcare and then a preschool year.

If the government doesn't bring in the new system. if you don't qualify for any benefits currently you will have to wait until January 2025 (term after they turn 3) for 15 or 30 hours funding depending how many hour a week you work. Also some nurseries have a set number of days you have to do to get the 30 hours funding.
Just bare in mind that you will likely have to pay per day still as the government funding isn't enough. We do three days a week and it's about £30 a day with funding but still cheaper than we were paying!