Missed out on 30 hours NEF

[Vico71]

Hi, I wonder if anyone else has been in a similar situation as me when it comes to missing out claiming the 30 hours NEF?
My child has attended nursery since the age of 2 at which time we were able to claim the 15 hours NEF as we were eligible for this and not the 30 hours NEF.
When my child turned three, although I received an email from the nursery (and which I overlooked at the time - a combination of being locked down, heavy workload and homeschooling) stating that we may be eligible. But because we were only eligible for the 15 hours NEF when he was 2, I assumed it would be the same for when my child turned 3.
So I continued to pay the excess of the hours my child attended nursery for. It wasn't until late in 2021, after my child turned 4 that I was having a conversation with another parent that I realised I had been missing out on 30 hours NEF, as we are well under the earnings threshold. Th total over payed equates to well over £2000! As you can imagine, I felt sick and so shocked that I had missed this.
I have since applied to which my child now receives the 30 hours NEF (one year too late) but I have written to the GOV who replied they will not pay back the money as I had not applied when I should have. Two replies later, they still will not over any back payment stating that I could have found all the information I needed on the internet.
But if I was unaware I was eligible what reason would I search on the internet for?
If anyone could offer any suggestions of what I could do next or who I could contact, I would be most grateful

Unfortunately they don't back pay. It's a really strict set of deadlines even when you are claiming. They funding is paid to the provider as well not the parents so it has a value of 'nil' to parents. (a bit like vouchers and discount codes)

I don’t think there is anything you can do, unfortunately. The only instance where I’ve encountered a parent who had a backdated payment was when HMRC made a mistake and didn’t issue the code on time due to their error. They seem pretty firm on it being parental responsibility to apply for the funding within the timeframe. I’m sorry you’ve missed out, it’s awful to realise an error has cost you - I’ve been there many times!

As others have said, I don't think there is anything you can do, they didn't make a mistake you did, as annoying as that is.

Sorry but you are not eligible to reclaim the nursery fees you have paid. There isn't a mechanism for this anyway. The money for the place goes direct to the nursery not the parent and your fees have already been paid. The amount nurseries get for a funded place is a set amount anyway and not necessarily the same as the fee they charge parents .
Unfortunately it is up to the parent to apply and to research to find out if they may be eligible

Thank you very much for all your comments, it is much appreciated that you have taken the time to respond.

What does NEF stand for?

That’s a shame but the fact that you were able to research and claim the 2 year funding means you should have been able to do the same for the 30 hours
At least you have got it now

I dont get why you wouldn't have researched it when the nursery first sent you the email but as it's your error and you did manage to pay for it why would anybody refund you?

NEF = Nursery education funding I think.

The funded hours pre school children get when they are 2/3/4.

As others have said, it’s up to parents to research their eligibility for funded hours. Nursery emailed you, so they did all they could in the situation, you can’t expect them to be chasing all the parents to make sure they are keeping up with their admin. Unfortunately government won’t backdate any parents if they hadn’t claimed on time, they are really clear that the code needs to be with the provided before a set date and nothing can be done after that.

I’m really sorry you’ve missed out.

I have never heard of anyone getting backdated. If you miss the deadline, you have to wait for the following term and there are no exceptions as far as I know. The nursery gave you the information you needed - unfortunately it was up to you to act on it.

My child has attended nursery since the age of 2 at which time we were able to claim the 15 hours NEF as we were eligible for this and not the 30 hours NEF.

No children get 30 hours at age 2, so the fact that you were eligible for the 15 probably means you are on a low income.

I guess you really should have investigated rather than assumed, but it's too late now, as you have found out.

Lesson is to always look at what you might be entitled to, don't assume anything.

There is nothing you can do, they wont pay the nursery back retrospectively so you'll have to take it on the chin and own your mistake.

How do we get the code?
I don't currently claim any tax credits. But I work 16 hours and my partner works so we can get 30 hours.

@AuntieJoycesPurpleSlacks your child will be eligible from the term after they turn 3. Go on the gov.uk website and register for 30 hours, they will send you a code and you give that to the childcare setting so they can claim it.

Thanks @MalbecandToast

They told me to get the code before August but he won't be offered a place until September so will it not expire or does it last for a year?

@AuntieJoycesPurpleSlacks- you need to renew the code every three months but there is a ‘grace period’. As long as you give nursery the code before Sept 1st it will be valid. You will be prompted to renew the code every three months (it is not hard, you just need to log into the gov website and confirm your details). Funding starts the term after the child is 3 but you can apply for the code up to 6 weeks before they turn 3 in preparation.

@AuntieJoycesPurpleSlacks

Thanks *@MalbecandToast*

They told me to get the code before August but he won't be offered a place until September so will it not expire or does it last for a year?

Hmrc email you every term to reconfirm you eligibility- one code doesn’t last the year but all you do is log on and reconfirm nothing has changed- careful sometimes it goes into junk email folder

You can apply here and then reconfirm every 3 months until September

www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare

@AuntieJoycesPurpleSlacks

Thanks *@MalbecandToast*

They told me to get the code before August but he won't be offered a place until September so will it not expire or does it last for a year?

They need the code to input your child's details. In my LA we have to input actuals in July for the coming term. Parents then renew the code every 3 months