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Universal credit , funded nursery hours advise please! ❤️

1 reply

RIRO25 · 10/02/2026 10:26

Hello!
I am a single mum to 12 month old twins. Currently not working & on UC. I Could not continue with my previous job after maternity as the hours were not flexible. I was a retail manager working till 10pm but cannot do that now with the babies
I’m just about surviving on UC & Child maintenance but I want to go back to work part time for the extra money for us & for my own mental health. I am thinking 2/3 days a week. I have been looking online and see some part time jobs around which could work. I understand I have to earn a minimum of £195 a week to be entitled to the funded nursery hours. But I’m asking this -
If I apply for a job today & they take me, then how do I go about applying for nurseries in time for starting the new job? Do I apply for nurseries first? Then look for a job? How do I pay for the nursery upfront if I don’t have money, will UC pay it if they can see I’m looking for work, or will they pay it once I sign a work contract? Hope I am making sense.
If I don’t take the full 30 hours funded, let’s say they go to nursery 16 hours, will there still be any hidden extra costs?
Also, if I work 2 days a week but only want the babies in nursery 1 of the days, is that fine?
Thank you ! ❤️

OP posts:
Nickyknackered · 10/02/2026 10:40

Funding is offered in terms. The cut off for the next term is 31st Match for the Summer term. If you don't have a job and apply for funding codes by then, you will need to wait until September (cut off date 31st August).

If the babies start mid term, you will need to pay until funding kicks in but i imagine you'll be eligible for help from UC for that.

I doubt any nurseries will take on babies for one day per week.

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