Childcare

[Twinkle19]

Hello
I’m wondering if anyone can explain the 30 hours childcare you get now when your little one is 3. Finding the government website hard to understand. My little boys birthday is September so when would I have to apply? Also I know it’s term time only but it’s says some places might let you use less hours each week spread out over the whole year. Does anyone else do this? We both work full time so might be harder just doing term times spread out would be easier.

Are you in Scotland? Normally here you apply the January before their birthday, if its a private nursery you apply through them I think and for a school.one you apply online, if you have missed the deadline contact the childcare setting and they should be able to help you out.

He would be eligible in the term that starts after Christmas (unless he birthday is the first few days of September). It’s the term after the term when they turn 3. Mine was born in February and eligible from the start of the summer term in April.

Many nurseries will offer the option of spreading it over the year or having it apply term time. It doesn’t really matter which you choose if you go all year round as long as you budget appropriately, but you might find it easier to stretch is so that the amount you pay is more consistent. I would ask your nursery how that works.

Normally you apply a few weeks before, so I’d apply November for the term starting January 2022.

Thank you both that makes more sense now.