Can my three year old use 30 funded hours before September?

[nicolepot]

My LO turned 3 in February. I have recently started work and received my 30 hours code on the 19th April, I thought that meant he was unable to start until September due to the cut off date. However the nursery has accepted it & was able to start straight away. Has this happened to anyone? I’m scared they’ve got it wrong and the 30 hours will be taken off me at some point.

I believe it's the term after they turn three, so he would be eligible from after the Easter holidays onwards, but I'm not 100% sure.

Your child’s DOB means they can automatically access 15 hours per week 3&4 YO Universal funded hours this Summer, no code is needed to claim this funding and this kicks in the term after every child turns 3. However because your code to access the additional 15 hours per week ‘Working Parent funded hours wasn’t applied for or received by 31 March 2026, this code won’t be valid for use this Summer.

So if you are using more than 15 hours per week of childcare this Summer, I’d suggest checking with your Nursery what they’ll be billing you for this term. Oh and make sure you renew the code you got on 19 April with HMRC when you need to regardless…you need this code to be valid on 31 August 2026 to be able to use this from September 2026.