Funded childcare self employed

[Mumof317]

Hi,

I've searched high and low for some advice on this but can't seem to find any info for what im looking for, trying here before i speak with the childcare helpline.

My 4 year old has been at pre school since January 2023.

At the time I was just coming to the end of maternity leave and I am self employed and have been since 2021 so was able to apply and receive the code for 30 hours funded childcare (he has only ever done 23.5 of these 30 hours).

He is due to start school September so I no longer have to reconfirm every 3 months.

My question is, has anyone ever received 30 hours funding when they were self employed and got to the end of the tax year and haven't earned what they thought they would have for that year, meaning they haven't actually earned what is considered the amount needed to be eligible for 30 hours funded?

My income varies every week/month as this is just how self employment usually is and although I thought I would earn what was needed (around £170/180 a week I think) I unfortunately haven't for various reasons, mainly having a newborn and no childcare until recently, so just working as and when I could around the three children.

I did speak with a lady from the helpline last year who just said when self employed it is worked out over the year rather than per month so if you tell them you expect to earn X amount, they will just take your word for it and grant you the 30 hours.

What happens now? Am I about to get hit with a huge fine?

My earnings are gradually going up as I'm able to work more hours than I've been able to over the last year so do I still have time to earn enough (until next April) even though he will no longer need funding due to starting school?

Any help would be hugely appreciated. The whole thing is so confusing and i just can't find anything about this online!!

Thanks!

I am in normal employment and only thing that happens if you don't confirm is that they give you short grace period and after it your funding stops.
I would imagine it is simmilar with being self employed.

On note of self employment, there are women who pay through another account (friend, family member etc.) anything needed to be above minimum. If you are earning so little there is very little tax on that so I can imagine it is worth if for example maternity pay depends on that. Obviously this is not legal advice

Hi,

I'm not worried about him no longer recieving 30 hours as I've already confirmed which takes us up until July which is when he leaves pre school ready to start reception in sept.

I'm just curious as to what happens now his funding has come to an end, but as I haven't earned enough over the year (the year he's been recieving funded childcare), will I get sent a fine? He would have always been able to receive 15 funded hours anyway so he's been getting 8.5 hours a week funded on top of the 15 hours, so I guess im wondering as i haven't met the criteria to receive hours more than 15, although I absolutely intended to, will I be fined/charged the difference?

I'm not sure if I'm wording this correctly, it makes sense in my head 😂.

I've no idea about applying for a child in someone elses name... My partner works full time (self employed) and I've always had to put both of us on the childcare application along with our national insurance numbers etc. so not sure how you would even be able to apply for funded hours in someone elses name?

That's not what I'm trying to do anyway, I've always done it through my childcare account, under my details/information.

I just wondered if anyone has ever been in the same situation so I could understand what the outcome of this would be.

Thanks for your response.