How does childcare work?

[RaccoonOnTheSofa]

So I am self employed and am entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week now my DC has turned 3. I got my code and passed it to the school.

I noticed when I did my tax return that the balance was £0, but didn’t think much of it as he has only just started in January and this was the first week. I checked again this morning and balance is still £0. Is this how it works? I thought there would be an amount I there and it would go down as it is used. I missed out on the thing where you get 25% off because I didn’t understand (I have ADHD and instructions really confuse me if they’re not written in a style I get) so I want to be sure I understand this completely!

thanks

My two providers were a school nursery for 15 hours term time and a private nursery in the holidays

Using school based childcare, if that is a Nursery Class, then the school may be using all 30 hours funding, even though your child only attends for 18 hours.
I would ask the school about if you are able to use some of the funding with a second provider.

They're not allowed to do that. They can only claim funding for the hours the child attends.

Well that's illegal so should be reported if true....

Good to hear that has been changed. Maintained nursery class used to be different to private providers.

Thank you everyone for all your help - I’m going to talk to the pre-school today.