30 hours funded childcare - when is my child eligible

[Coreblimey1985]

Hi
my daughter was born in June 2025 and my understanding was she would be eligible for 30 hours funded childcare from April 2026 as she turns 9 months in March. So next “term” after is 1st April. Nursery seem to think she’s not eligible until September 2026- any advice on why they are not recognising the April term please?

many thanks

It's April assuming you are back to work before 30th April.

They might be getting confused with her birthday as they'll be used to the funding following a child's birthday. The 9 month funding is an anomaly after many years of calculating funding in the childcare industry.

It's the term after they turn 9mo so you're right. However, you need to have the code dated prior to 31st March and you need to be returning to work before 30th April. The nursery might have additional timing criteria in terms of submitting codes to actually get paid, which is why they may be saying September.

Thank you both that really help to clarify as that was my thinking too. I’ll go back to them again

It's sort of irrelevant at this stage anyway. Surely just book your space and then when you get your code in March (dealine 31st) yoi can give it to rhem to check and see for themselves.

I will say, the funding scheme has so many nuances and bits to remember, many more so for settings who have all the portals and remittance dates to sort, they can be forgiven for the occasional slip.

Thank you. Just need to have it clarified first as I have to pay £100 confirmation fee now to secure the place. It is all very confusing I agree 😮‍💨

She’s eligible from April, but they don’t have to offer her a funded space in April, so check.