15 Free Hours

[Bwright95]

I am due to start a new job and have gone to apply for the 15 free hours. When I filled in the form as my new start date is over 31 days I got the below message.

I'm confused do I need to do anything else or will I be contacted, has anyone else had this issue?

Thanks it's already stressfull starting a new job without this address stress of childcare funding.

How old is your child? If it’s the term after their third birthday, the childcare provider will apply for the funding and get the forms for you to fill out (I think). Tax free childcare is something different; it’s when you save tax on the money used to pay for childcare.

Oh, oops! I misread your screen shot. So sorry. You can only get the free hours in a new term.

So you won’t be able to claim the free childcare until the summer term (or 1st April if not term time only).

I'm happy to be corrected on this, though!

If you are starting a new job/returning from maternity leave you cannot claim for funding until at least 31 days before your start date. The cut off date for codes for next term is 31st March, so as long as you are starting before then or in April you will get a code for next term. This is also dependent on the age of your child, as if they are a baby they have to be 9 months old before 31st March, otherwise they will not qualify for funding until 1st September. (As a childminder I had a lo start with me in September and because she didn't turn 9 months before 31st August her parents had to pay full fees for the Autumn term and she got her funding from January.)

Thank you so much. I did think that but it's just not very clear on that page as it mention something about a letter. My little girl is 15 months and both parents will be working earning under 100k a year. I'll have to try again closer to the date I start work. It's all so stressfull, but I'm sure I'm making it more hard work x

At least you know you qualify age wise with your daughter. Yes, I agree try again closer to your start date and I hope that is within 31st of 31st March (so 30th April). I also hope you have childcare sorted as there is a shortage in my area, of both nursery and childminder spaces.