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

That's odd because as a childminder, I already know who is eligible; those paying via tax free childcare and with children of the correct age.

That's good to know about the code @KateyCuckoo as I thought they worked a term in advance because of, it now turns out, incorrect information that I was given by the elder one's preschool! One less panic for those of us who are fairly confident there'll be enough places but I'm really surprised they haven't just added the info you've given here onto the landing page of the TFC system, or something.

Well that wouldn't work because everyone would have needed their codes last term on that case. The codes have been sent out staggered as well presumably to reduce the load on the website.

The dates I gave above are also the cut off dates for the eligible ages too. So children turning 2 by 31st will be eligible for the summer term etc etc.

Ah ok so does this mean that the funding won't actually start in April, but the next term? What does this mean in practice in terms of when I can expect my bill to reduce? I'm so confused!

The summer term is Easter to July. This year the start of term is approximately 15th April in my Borough. It is changeable due to Eastwr each year but the cut off of 31st March is fixed.

Just got an email from childcare choices confirming that if you're reconfirmation is later they will send you a temporary code