30 hours free childcare

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Hi

My DD was three in May so I think we are eligible for the 30 hours paid childcare from September.

From what I can see we meet the criteria and DD’s nursery does accept the full 30 hours.

I know I need to apply via the gov website but am confused when I need to do this.. as soon as possible or not until August?

I’d assumed I could do it any time now but nursery has advised waiting until August, any ideas why this would be?

Really don’t want to miss the funding from the September term as it will significantly reduce my bill...

Any advice gratefully received!

You might as well log in and put all the information on the system.
Do you claim taxfree childcare? It's the same website and you can do that from any age.

My DD turns 3 on Friday so also eligible from September and I did it a couple of weeks ago. I have sent the code and our NI numbers to nursery as requested, and they said they will also give me a form to fill in in August. You have to reapply for the funding/code every 3 months so I need to apply again in October. I decided to get it done as had been warned about issues with the site etc, although it all worked pretty smoothly for me

DD's preschool break up at the end of the week so they wanted the application forms for funding in September submitted last week.

You can do it now, but you need to renew it every 3 months

Thanks ladies, very helpful, much clearer info than I have received from our nursery!

Once application is complete do you receive confirmation of eligibility and the first code immediately or does it take a few days / weeks to come through?

I got my code within 24hrs. I'd definitely do it sooner rather than later, you don't lose anything by doing it early and you won't have to stress about 'system glitches' nearer September!

They have probably told you to wait because you have to renew every 3 months so if you do it now then you will have to renew pretty much straight after she starts nursery.
As long as you have your place confirmed with the nursery then I wouldn't worry too much

I was told it had to be donr by the end of june. By a childcare provider.

In our nursery all the codes need to be in by the end of August so they can be confirmed at our end for September. Our parents have been bringing them in now for new applications.

They do need to be renewed every three months and it’s important parents remember to do it else they will only be able to get 15hrs funding instead of 30.