How does the free hours work?

[OLLIE2011]

I'm thinking of using a childminder but I'm confused with the free hours. I'd be looking to use the 30 hours but then pay for more. I know the average rate around here is £6 an hour. Does that mean the gov pay her £6 for each of the free hours? Then I pay her the rest! How does she get the money from the government? Or do I pay for it all and the government reimburse me? Thanks

You pay for hours over your free entitlement.....it's 30 hours term time only ...38 weeks or some will stretch it over the number of weeks they are open.
You get your code and give it to them before the funding portal closes....which for next term maybe next week.
No the government do not pay the settings normal funding rate it's often much lower....depends how much lower according to what your LA decides to pay....this is why many settings are struggling to stay open....so you may be asked to pay a voluntary sustainability payment or consumables charge.