Childcare funding mistake

[FavouriteCake1]

Our 3 year old has been in nursery for 6 months on 15 hours funding. We just realised that we are eligible for the 30 hours.

Has anyone else had this happen? Did you get a refund for what you've already paid? I'm so annoyed with myself for not catching this sooner, ugh. I've obviously enquired with the nursery and am awaiting the government code etc but I'm just getting antsy.

We didn’t claim tax free when we could, no refund… so highly unlikely! I wouldn’t hold your breathe as pretty certain in can’t be back dated

I'd very much doubt this can be refunded as such. As shitty as it is. Hope I'm wrong for you.

It may depend how they work it it's 1140 hours in total which is 30hours I think but term time only. So if going during holidays it's less hours per week.

This is in Scotland so not sure if elsewhere in the uk is different

It probably won't be refunded because it's your responsibility to apply for the code for the correct hours, not the nursery.

I'm pretty sure it will not backdate a claim prior to the date you made it.

Eh I don't quite understand, who are you cross with? The 30 hours needs to be claimed by the parent and not everyone is eligible. It very much depends on parental circumstances so it wouldn't be down to the nursery to claim it on their behalf. I would imagine they've got posters around the nursery advertising it even!

There is a chance it will be backdated but this will depend whether you've caught your local headcount day.

No you won’t get it back dated and you have no-one to be cross with other than yourselves.

Claim now and you should be able to get it from January.

@Looneytune253

Eh I don't quite understand, who are you cross with? The 30 hours needs to be claimed by the parent and not everyone is eligible. It very much depends on parental circumstances so it wouldn't be down to the nursery to claim it on their behalf. I would imagine they've got posters around the nursery advertising it even!

haha okay I literally put in my post that "I am annoyed with myself" I understand that I have no one but myself to blame and never said as much! Just hoping there is a chance in hell that I might get the difference back for the full price we've been paying but I understand it's highly unlikely.

There are strict deadlines with funding and you don't even have exceptional circumstances to appeal with. Get your code now and you can claim from January.

When did they turn 3?

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat

There are strict deadlines with funding and you don't even have exceptional circumstances to appeal with. Get your code now and you can claim from January.

When did they turn 3?

She turned three in March and started nursery in April. The nursery says we might get lucky and the Childcare Gov programme may let it slide from the September term but to be prepared for a January start of the 30 hours.

The thing is that I want to put my 1 year old in 4 days/week and holy moly it's expensive so every little helps! :)

Just checking you are also aware of the tax free childcare system as that can also save you 20% on your nursery bills? If you are eligible for 30 hours for your eldest then you should get the tax free for your youngest, and also any extra hours you pay for for your eldest.

@Tigerwhocameforsupper

Just checking you are also aware of the tax free childcare system as that can also save you 20% on your nursery bills? If you are eligible for 30 hours for your eldest then you should get the tax free for your youngest, and also any extra hours you pay for for your eldest.

OMG no I didn't realise that, thank you for letting me know! I don't know why I'm so out of touch with how the system works. Thanks again :)

No problem; it’s very simple to sign up and use.

There is more info here:
www.gov.uk/get-tax-free-childcare

Update - got tax-free and 30 hours free approved within the last hour. Rang the help line and asked about refunds etc (while admitting my own stupidity of not doing this sooner) and they were super nice but unsurprisingly no refund. At least I realised this now and not like 2 weeks before she starts school next year. Live and learn!

@FavouriteCake1

Update - got tax-free and 30 hours free approved within the last hour. Rang the help line and asked about refunds etc (while admitting my own stupidity of not doing this sooner) and they were super nice but unsurprisingly no refund. At least I realised this now and not like 2 weeks before she starts school next year. Live and learn!

That’s great! Just think of the future money you will save!

Don't forget to renew the code every 3 months from the day you got it not the day she starts getting funding talk to your la to see when your headcount week is and if there are any late submission dates or adjustment dates. In my la its the last half term I then get the funding and can repay the parents.