free childcare for working parents application

[LnC1234]

Hi fellow MNs
I've gone into my childcare account in the hope of being able to apply for the 15hrs but can't see any option to do so. I see the below options

Your childcare service account

Your Tax-Free Childcare account

Manage your Tax-Free Childcare account, pay money in and select and pay childcare providers

Secure messages

View messages about your application and account

Contact details

View or change your email address or phone number

Reconfirmation

Confirm your details are up to date every 3 months. Do this between 24 March 2024 and 20 April 2024

I've missed my end date, what do I do?

Security

Reset your telephone password, change and view your security check questions

Re-apply or apply for a new child

Apply for a new child, or one who wasn't eligible in an earlier application

Your last application

View your last application or reconfirmation summary

But none of these when clicked on give me the option...have been on hold trying to call for an hr with no pick up

Can anyone help with where I can find it? I've tried clicking directly on the "apply now" on the Gov info site and get into the same page

Will your child be 2 on 31st March 2024?

2 year old 15 hours is from April 2024, unless eligible under some other scheme.

Example: Surrey FEET for 2yr olds eligibility: www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/support-and-advice/families/childcare/paying/funded-early-education-for-2-year-olds#financial

For 3-4 year old funding, contact your childcare provider as the 15 hours funding at that age is universal, no code from Tax-Free Childcare portal needed. 30 hours funding needs a code.

Upcoming changes 2024:

www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/upcoming-changes-to-childcare-support/

Re-apply or apply?

The application window opened today so OP is probably trying to register for this.

Yeah probably the new one for 2 year olds. Though as is typical I expect the system is not actually working yet. Anyone found a way to do it? If you did do it now, would need to reconfirm again in 3 months before getting to use it in April. I expect it will become clearer in the next few weeks.

You don't need to register again - if you've already got an account, you'll get given the code when you're next due to reconfirm.

That makes sense, as they already have the child's details and parents income, so know the child is eligible.

They'll be two in a few months and it's applying from scratch. Thanks for everyone's help

Do we know that If you have an account you'll be sent a code? I'm so confused as when trying to apply it just sends me in a spin! Childcare choices hasn't been updated yet? Has anyone had any progress?

Still none the wiser, have an account but no idea how to apply for it

I've been looking into this (established tfc account, child already two) and what I keep reading is that it will give a code next time I reconfirm. Which for me is early March so I'm not sure my provider will get the code in time for April start, if it's anything like the three year old funding that works a term ahead. Bloody annoying really!

I've applied for it today. I don't know if it's different as I didn't have a childcare account as get childcare payments at the moment through UC but I had to put all mine/DD's details in and then got a text about an hour later with the code on that I need to give to nursery. She'll not be 2 until Feb so it said I'll need to log back in and confirm details again in 3 months if I've read it correctly. I'm kinda hoping the code won't change as that will mess nursery around but it all seems a bit confusing

Same here! Which is really annoying because our nursery has very limited funded places and on a first come first serve basis so don’t think we will get any funding :(

The code will stay the same until the child starts school and is no longer eligible for funding.

Link to apply here https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working

If you already get tax free childcare you can get your code next time you reconfirm.

@RoofHelp Thank you'd

I was unsure too, but I did the normal reconfirm info and then got an automated message saying my application had been received and I'll get an answer in 10 days.

Try reconfirming, OP 🙂

@AnotherCountryMummy that's good to know you've accessed the secret menu by reconfirming 😂 I guess I'll budget to pay full whack til September term as doubt my code will work from April if I only get it in March.

It's almost like it's a hollow gesture in an election year 🤔

Ugh, I’m only able to “reconfirm” on the 21 Feb, so does this mean I can’t apply for the 15 hours until then?
makes me furious that the gov has made this system completely opaque/ incomprehensible

Same here! Even more infruriating that our nursery is only doing the funded places on first come first serve basis so by the time I’ve reconfirmed the places will be gone!

Why is everyone getting so stressed about codes? As long as your code is issued by 31st March then it is valid for the summer term. The other cut off dates are 31st August for autumn term and 31st December for spring term.

If you applied now, you still need to reconfirm before you could even use it. There's literally no advantage to doing it now.

I was the same the other day - my reconfirmation is due towards the end of Jan so I'm hoping it'll solve itself when I do that ......

I think the problem is that some providers have limited spaces they are offering on a first come first serve basis. They rightly won't confirm a place until parent has a code, so some could miss out on a place if they can't get their code until March.
The code may be valid providing it's issued by the end of March but that's no help if there are no spaces available anywhere.