30 hours childcare government funded

[davidcox]

Hi all,

Just a quick query here, from my understanding - your child has to turn 3 before 31 March 2022 in order to receive 30 hours free childcare for this year prior to September 2022.

My son turns 3 in April, however we've been sent a code to start claiming the free childcare.

Is this a mistake? Has this happened to anyone else? Can we start using this straight away?

Can anyone shed any light?

Thanks in advance.

Hi, DS1 turned 3 April 27th and we got sent the code straight away, but couldn't use it till the September term.

My understanding is you can use it from the term starting after they turn 3, so the new term had already started by April 27th, so we had to wait till the September term.

Double check with your childminder though. Are you using the government tax free childcare currently?

Thanks for the response - we are indeed on the government tax free childcare, was just surprised to receive this so early.

Have emailed the nursery who are going to look into this and see if they can shed any light also - just wondered if anyone had experienced this also and had any answers.

Yes common to receive codes but as you expected, it won't be valid until September.

September before you can use this.

I got giddy thinking I could use the code early when it came through in September last year (DD birthday in October). No such luck though 😂

If I remember correctly you can apply for funded childcare from when your child is 2 and 36 weeks and if you are already getting tax free childcare and are eligible they issue the code straight away even though you can use it till the term after they turn 3

*can’t use it till the term after they turn 3

As others you won't be allowed to use it until Sep.

Remember to renew it every 3 months even if you haven't been able to claim.

Yes codes can be issued from when the child is 2 3/4.
But the funding won't begin until September.