How do go from 15 hours funded to 30 hours?

[Jellybaby0182]

Hi all, really hoping that someone can advise.

I currently receive 15 hours funded childcare for my child and have done since April when he was still 2.

He turned 3 in May which means I will be eligible for the universal 15 hours funded childcare for 3-4yr olds on top from this September, taking me to 30 hours funded.

My question is do I need to reapply for the universal 15 hours?

I have asked my child’s nursery for advice, and they are unsure.

I have been on to my government childcare account and there doesn’t seem to be an option for getting the universal 15 hours as I have already been given a code for the 15 hours I currently receive.

Have I missed something/done something wrong??

I did wonder if the government might just adjust the amount of support automatically if my childcare provider uses the code they already have for me but I’m not that optimistic - in my experience, anything government funded/led is never that straight forward!
Any help would be gratefully received🙂

Are you claiming the working parent entitlement for your little one or is it the funding which is for low income families? When the setting put in their estimates they would have had the option to do estimates for each age group. On headcount, they enter the children according to which age group they’re being funded for according to their date of birth. The code you already have is the same for the 30 hours working parent entitlement for 3 year olds. You just need to carry on reconfirming when necessary.

Universal 15 hours doesn’t need a code and is available to all 3/4 year olds. The 15 hour working parent part of the funding does need a code which needs reconfirming accordingly.

Thank you so much @Whoosie for your reply, it's really helped.
I get the working parent entitlement so I think I'll let my child's nursery know that the code they already have is sufficient.

Universal is for all 3 year olds the term after they turn 3 no code needed. The code is for the extended hours and providing you have renewed it every 3 months is the one nursery needs to provide the extended hours making 30 term time only.

If you have a code for working family funding for a 2 year old it will automatically entitle you to claim 30 hours from the term following their third birthday.
It will be the same code, you just need to ensure you reconfirm your details every three months to ensure your code remains valid.