Help with childcare free hours

[imcountingtothree123]

I'm trying to work out what I'm entitled to. My son is 18 months. My husband earns over 100k per year and I'm a sahm so I don't think we qualify for anything at the moment. Pretty sure that's right.

But..

Am I right in thinking ALL children from three years still receive 15 hours per week regardless of salary or employment status? I'm not sure if this has changed too.

Thanks!

Yes you arw right. All 3 year old qualify for 15 hours. X

Correct.

15h is universal, 30h comes with conditions one being income under £100k

Yes that’s correct.

I believe that this is being expanded to 2 year olds then to 9 month olds over the next year or so, so you may qualify before 3. Not sure of exact details.

This is means tested. It's only the 15hrs at 3yo the OP would be eligible for.

Bear in mind, its 100k of taxable income... so if his pension contributions bring him under 100k you might qualify earlier.

From September 2024, 15 hours of government funded childcare will be extended to all children from the age of 9 months.
From September 2025, working parents of children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours of government funded childcare a week

that’s from the government website.

The responses on here are correct EXCEPT OP has said she's a SAHM so wouldn't be entitled to any extra for this reason too. The new schemes and the existing 30h for 3yo is for both working parents. Only the 15 hours from 3yo she will be able to use

Thanks everyone. I thought this was the case and then got a bit mixed up with all the new funding changes.

We have looked at pensions but it still brings it over. 15 hours from three is enough for us anyway so that's fine.

Thanks x

Government website also says this, about the funded hours for >9 months:

"If you or your partner have an expected adjusted net income over £100,000 in the current tax year, you will not be eligible."

The 15 hours universal funding kicks in from the term after 3rd birthday, not from the 3rd birthday itself.

Yes.

How much over £100k? The £100k is net adjusted income, so additional pension contributions and gift aid can bring you below £100k if you are just over.

About £135,000

The government website is clear that it only applies to working parents. Working parents has a specific definition and OP would not fall within it.

how confusing and contradictory!!

not surprised to be fair. I asked about it at a nursery recently and she said they were literally receiving the info about the funded hours for 2 year olds the month before it was rolled out. Probably means they haven’t actually decided who is eligible yet.

Will this change if the government changes? It generally kicks in the term after your child turns whatever age.

He could make extra contributions. My partner and I both earn around 135k and we both make enough pension contributions to bring us just under 100k. We don't just get the 30 hrs we also get the tax free childcare element. So it makes absolute sense to do it.

Sorry I just saw you are a SAHM so the 30 hrs are out either way.

They have decided who is eligible or not, the expansion only applies to working parents.
I don't know which gov website you quoted but the wording is incorrect.

Edit to say, it was the funding that wasn't communicated until the month before roll-out, and this comes from the council according to our nursery.

The thing is is that we're not really looking for any childcare until my son is 3 and would probably only use 15 hours or less. Would there be any other benefits?

Apart from the benefit of paying it into a pension of course!

Plus we wouldn't benefit on the childcare front regardless as I don't work

I would get looking to see if there are any local preschools that will take the 15 funded hours only. Most small preschools near me have closed as they can't carry on at the government funded rates. Most private nurseries will want you to sign up to more than the 15 hours although some might let you just pay a substantial 'contribution' on top.

Thanks, he will be going to a school nursery

My daughter just went for two days until joining the school