Childcare free hours- please help!

[EOME]

Getting into a pickle over here, can someone please help me?

My third child is turning two in June (21st) so I believe she will be entitled to the basic 15 hours (well 12, as the nursery setting she will be starting at is all year round rather than term time only). My husband is the only one working at the moment and he’s self employed.

I believe I can no longer use the tax free childcare as I am not working. I was signposted to use the best start in life website for an eligibility code for my daughter, but it directed me to my local council website to apply which I have done. I had a look at my existing account on the gov tax free website and there is a code on there for her, but surely I can’t use that as I’m not working.

if anyone is, or has been in a similar position, please enlighten me as this all STILL confuses me!

Thank you very much!

There are 3 types of funding.

• 15 hours to all children the term after they turn 3 years old. No eligibility criteria or code needed.

• 30 hours for children starting the term after they turn 9 months for all working parents. Minimum uncome of £196 per parent per week. Apply on Best start in life site and code needed.

• 15 hours the term after they turn 2 for disadvantaged children. This can include low income and is applied for through you LA. It' called different things in different areas. No code given, usually a letter or token voucher.

Seems like you're thinking of the 3rd one but if you have a working partner then unlikely I'm afraid.

How did you become eligible for tax free childcare?

Thank you for your detailed response. I was eligible for tax free childcare when I was working.