HELP WITH 30 H FREE CHILDCARE

[Izzy54]

So me and husband always earned more than enough to be eligible for 30h free while he was at childminders my Son now is in preschool, and I started university, I’m worried that in this Period ( reconfirmed in Sept) I may not earn enough now as I have placement in November and with my work not giving me enough hours ( I’m a carer) I may not meet the eligibility earnings in this period and potentially next period, my placements stop from April so when it’s time for me to reconfirm I know for sure I’ll earn enough but when I’m on placements my work is being funny with me and don’t give me enough hours even though I give them a lot of availability! So I am available to work to earn enough however work is not providing enough hours so I’m worried for the next 2 reconfirmations I may not earn enough. If I end up earning slightly below by December and then reconfirm to expect to earn enough will I get accepted? Or will they stop my childcare ? Because I genuinely expect to earn enough as my availability is enough to earn what I need but work don’t give me enough hours as my availability is limited due to being on placements

Can you look for a different job? I’m not certain of the ins and outs of what happens if you don’t earn enough, but your availability is irrelevant, it’s only what you earn that matters

The website does suggest if you will earn the relevant amount through the whole tax year you can average it out to keep eligibility in quieter months, make sure you really read into that but will that help? Have you already earnt over the minimum in this tax year?

Iv earned £11195 already this tax year as my income was usually roughly £1500 +/- a month after tax but only the next 2 reconfirmations I’m worried I will earn little under as I dropped from full Time to bank shifts

If you’re a university student isn’t there different (potentially better) support available for paying for childcare?

I believe if you don’t hit the minimum earnings one quarter you get a ‘grace period’ and keep funding for the following quarter, and need to meet it then. This is what I was told when I made a similar enquiry.

I’m only eligible for the £2000 childcare grant through nhs as I’m doing nursing nothing else , my husband has good wage so I’m not eligible for anything else but not that good that we can afford over £1000 a month childcare so I need to keep the hours if possible, I only need it until end of July as my son then goes to reception next year but worried I won’t earn enough this time round and possibly next time too

I’m only eligible for the £2000 childcare grant through nhs as I’m doing nursing nothing else , my husband has good wage so I’m not eligible for anything else but not that good that we can afford over £1000 a month childcare so I need to keep the hours if possible, I only need it until end of July as my son then goes to reception next year but worried I won’t earn enough this time round and possibly next time too

Can you get the studying grant as well as the free 30 hours?

I only get the £2000 grant but if I lose my 30h this won’t cover a lot as I’m already paying £600 a month to my childminder so I need 30h otherwise my childcare costs are going to be over £1000 a month

Can you register for bank shifts elsewhere too, I see carer openings everywhere. Small care agencies are often more flexible eg those working with working age adults who need a sleep in - keeps the total hours up

I’m only eligible for the £2000 childcare grant through nhs as I’m doing nursing nothing else , my husband has good wage so I’m not eligible for anything else but not that good that we can afford over £1000 a month childcare so I need to keep the hours if possible, I only need it until end of July as my son then goes to reception next year but worried I won’t earn enough this time round and possibly next time too

You need to read the eligibility on the website and work out if you qualify for the income averaging through the tax year as I’m not sure you do.

If not can you look into tax free childcare?

That's not how it works. You can't earn say 30k in the first 3 months and only 1k in the net 3 months and be eligible. When you reconfirm they will use your national insurance number to identify how much tax you are paying and whether you are earning a minimum of £196 per week. If you don't hit this £196 per week you won't be eligible

The website does describe a scenario where it can happen, it may only relate to certain people such as self employed though, as I said not certain of the details.

https://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/childcare-early-years-education/15-and-30-hours-support/working-families/eligibility

adjusted net income