Getting confused with free hours?

[wowmummy]

Hi all

So my daughters get 2 year old funding - 15 hours. They are now eligible for their universal 15 hours now they are 3. The council said both run alongside each other so I would get 30 hours. Is this right?

I'm not sure where to apply!

Yes

Yes you get 30 hours in total. You apply here: www.gov.uk/sign-in-childcare-account

Also additional info here: www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-tax-free-childcare

Be careful as often you will still have to pay something- speak to your provider for their exact details

Your two year old funding runs until the term after they turn 3. Then the universal 15 takes over if you meet the criteria of working more than 16 hours etc you may get a code for the extended 15 hours but you will not get this automatically you need to apply and the setting must get it in before the LA deadline....mine is next week.
I've had lots of 2 and 3 year funding children you definitely won't just get 30 hours.

Ok so how can I apply for the 30 hours but it not affect tax credits? All I see is tax free childcare accounts but I don't want one of them as I'm self employed

Look on childcare choices website, it’s gov info to help you get the right financial support.

Funding is available for 30 hours term time or you can choose a setting that lets you stretch funding....30x38 / number of weeks setting is open...usually around 22 hours. Your payments for childcare continue on any hours you pay for.....so if you use childcare 30 hours a week on stretched you would pay around 8 which would be your claim....or if a term time only funding you would claim the 14 weeks a year.

What @jannier said.
2 yr funding isn't added on to 3 yr funding.
There are a lot of 'it depends' involved.
Speak to the Nursery

We had to pay £15 wraparound care per day when the 2 year finding moved to 3 year funding. It's basically too up fees as the government doesn't pay enough.
Also 30 hours is term time only.
It's more like 22 hours all year round.

Yeah it's not as good a deal as it sounds. I send my son to nursery 5 days a week with 30 free hours and still pay over £900 a month.