30 hrs free childcare during maternity? doesnt make any sense to me!

PregnancyHormonesss · 2025-02-18T09:25:58+00:00

It says "Will you earn at least £183.04 a week, before tax, for the next 3 months?" but maternity pay is £183.03 so does it mean I wont be able to use 30 hrs for my older son who goes to a childminder ?

Bushmillsbabe · 18/02/2025 09:31

I definitely used 30 free hours whilst on mat leave. I was told it was averaged out over a year, and as I got full pay first 8 weeks and half pay for the next 16 weeks, over the year my pay averaged over the threshold although statutory mat pay is under. This was 5 years ago though

Bethany1994 · 09/04/2025 16:15

Hello, did you ever get to the bottom of this? I'm about to go into my unpaid part of maternity leave and wondering what I need to put on my next 3 month questionnaire as I won't be earning the threshold but when I go back to work in August I will be again.. and my child starts school in september, thanks.

Poppins2016 · 09/04/2025 16:22

Bethany1994 · 09/04/2025 16:15

Hello, did you ever get to the bottom of this? I'm about to go into my unpaid part of maternity leave and wondering what I need to put on my next 3 month questionnaire as I won't be earning the threshold but when I go back to work in August I will be again.. and my child starts school in september, thanks.

When you complete the declaration, you need to tick that you're on maternity leave. When filling in the relevant part about your earnings, you tick that you're not expecting to earn the threshold. For reassurance, there is some wording somewhere within the declaration (sorry, I can't remember where off the top of my head!) that makes it clear that it doesn't matter if you don't expect to earn the required amount if you're on maternity leave.

(I've done this twice around with no issues, currently on mat leave with baby 3!)

Bethany1994 · 09/04/2025 16:25

Thank you for this.. I'm currently stressing about it as I'm a single mum so have no partner who is earning the required amount either so was worried I wouldnt be able to see my eldest through the last part of nursery before starting school this year.. is this done through the "working parents gov portal" do you know?

KoiTetra · 09/04/2025 16:44

Poppins2016 · 09/04/2025 16:22

When you complete the declaration, you need to tick that you're on maternity leave. When filling in the relevant part about your earnings, you tick that you're not expecting to earn the threshold. For reassurance, there is some wording somewhere within the declaration (sorry, I can't remember where off the top of my head!) that makes it clear that it doesn't matter if you don't expect to earn the required amount if you're on maternity leave.

(I've done this twice around with no issues, currently on mat leave with baby 3!)

Show quote history

This, it definitely states somewhere when you are reapplying that if you are on maternity leave that you are eligible as though you were earning your usual salary I believe.

Bethany1994 · 09/04/2025 21:40

KoiTetra · 09/04/2025 16:44

This, it definitely states somewhere when you are reapplying that if you are on maternity leave that you are eligible as though you were earning your usual salary I believe.

Show quote history

Even during the unpaid part of maternity leave? Thanks.

KoiTetra · 09/04/2025 21:53

Bethany1994 · 09/04/2025 21:40

Even during the unpaid part of maternity leave? Thanks.

Show quote history

Yes, if you choose to take extra time off after the year it is a different story (unless it is paid vacation) I believe but as long as you are on maternity leave then you keep the funded child care as if you were working.

Bethany1994 · 09/04/2025 21:56

KoiTetra · 09/04/2025 21:53

Yes, if you choose to take extra time off after the year it is a different story (unless it is paid vacation) I believe but as long as you are on maternity leave then you keep the funded child care as if you were working.

Show quote history

Thank you for this! Even with any annual leave I wasnt going to be able to make up the next 3 months to equal it out so you have reassured me, thank you - there is people on MY post saying that this isn't the case and people get caught out during the unpaid part of maternity leave.

Bethany1994 · 09/04/2025 21:57

Poppins2016 · 09/04/2025 16:22

When you complete the declaration, you need to tick that you're on maternity leave. When filling in the relevant part about your earnings, you tick that you're not expecting to earn the threshold. For reassurance, there is some wording somewhere within the declaration (sorry, I can't remember where off the top of my head!) that makes it clear that it doesn't matter if you don't expect to earn the required amount if you're on maternity leave.

(I've done this twice around with no issues, currently on mat leave with baby 3!)

Show quote history

Thank you for this.. I'm currently stressing about it as I'm a single mum so have no partner who is earning the required amount either so was worried I wouldnt be able to see my eldest through the last part of nursery before starting school this year.. is this done through the "working parents gov portal" do you know?

Poppins2016 · 10/04/2025 09:35

Bethany1994 · 09/04/2025 21:56

Thank you for this! Even with any annual leave I wasnt going to be able to make up the next 3 months to equal it out so you have reassured me, thank you - there is people on MY post saying that this isn't the case and people get caught out during the unpaid part of maternity leave.

Show quote history

I think that would only apply if you go over the statutory 52 weeks (so it might be what they consider an extended maternity leave... however the government only allows up to 52 weeks). I'm currently in the unpaid part of my maternity leave (due to return to work later this month) and I'm definitely still eligible for the funding (reconfirmed about two weeks ago).

Bethany1994 · 10/04/2025 09:53

Poppins2016 · 10/04/2025 09:35

I think that would only apply if you go over the statutory 52 weeks (so it might be what they consider an extended maternity leave... however the government only allows up to 52 weeks). I'm currently in the unpaid part of my maternity leave (due to return to work later this month) and I'm definitely still eligible for the funding (reconfirmed about two weeks ago).

Show quote history

Thank you so much lovely! Do you get your code through the 'working parents childcare portal"

Poppins2016 · 10/04/2025 11:38

Bethany1994 · 10/04/2025 09:53

Thank you so much lovely! Do you get your code through the 'working parents childcare portal"

Show quote history

The declaration/reconfirmation covers both tax free childcare and childcare for working parents... I use the tax free childcare login, which also shows the working parents funding codes.

To be honest, if you're at all unsure, I'd call the helpline number published in the portal. The advisors are really patient and helpful; they'll guide you through what you need to do to make sure you get the codes you need. I recently called when I had a query about my application for the 15 hours working parents funding for my youngest and was guided through it by a lovely lady.