Childcare “Free” hours question

[DogsAreAGirlsBestFriend]

Hi there,
Am I being really thick here but I can’t find where to apply for the 30 hours free childcare in my Tax Free Childcare Account on the Gov portal.
If I go to apply it says “if your child already has a tax free childcare account and you wish to apply for 30 hours free childcare, you should wait until your next reconfirmation…” this would mean applying after the window for me to apply as I don’t need to reconfirm until November! Help!
TIA

Is your little one already three?

I’m new to all this and early days but can I ask are the free hours for all children or do you have to be claiming benefits or earning under a certain amount? I’ve tried to look this up first but wanted to hear from an actual person. I’m trying to work out when I would be able to work again. I wouldn’t if I have to pay for childcare as I would t be worth it but would like to work part time if there are free hours available.
so my long winded question is! At what age do children get the hours and how many?
also are these hours free to everyone or not if your household income is over a certain amount and how much is this?
thsnks I’m advance if anyone can help on this! :)

Sorry, I meant to say my child will turn three in November. The nursery offers the free hours on a ‘first come, first served’ basis so want to make sure I get in there early.

If your child turns 3 in November you will be eligible for the hours from the beginning of the following term, so January.

@katmarie thank you, I understand that but I should be able to apply for it now?

@Kentgirl2525 there is a whole list of eligibility criteria on the gov website, you have to be earning over a certain amount but no more than £100k

If your child turns three in November then you won’t be able to apply for the funding until the term after their third birthday (i.e. Jan 1st) so you should be in plenty of time when you reconfirm in Nov - as far as I can remember you don’t do anything different of the reconfirmation paperwork. You’ll be given the code pretty much instantly, so can then give it to your nursery. Each nursery is different on how/when they use the hours so probably worth you letting them know now you’ll want a “free hour” space as soon as your child is eligible.

So if my partner earns say 60k and I’m a sahm so earning nothing, would my child still get the 30 hrs free nursery at 3 years old?
does the amount you earn make any difference to the free hours? Sorry I’m still confused!

@Kentgirl2525 As pp said there is are lots of different criteria so worth looking yourself, but basically everyone gets 15 free hours the term after their child turns 3. In order to qualify for an additional 15hours, you both have to be working (or staring a job within 31 days), earning approx £2,000 every 3 months but under 100k a year. Some people can access free hours when their child is 2, but I’m not sure what the criteria is for that

sorry, my last comment should say “earning at least approx £2,000” which is roughly 16pw national living wage for 3 months

@Kentgirl2525 there are exceptions but most likely on your incomes your child would be eligible for 15 free hours. If you also got a job earning enough to pay national insurance then you'd be entitled to 30 free hours. Bear in mind those hours are term time only (38 weeks a year) so if you want year round childcare it is "stretched" and the 30 hours becomes approx 22 hours per week

Confirm in november as your funded hours won't kick in until January, its the term after they turn 3

We’re in the same boat with a November 3 year old! You can apply on childcare choices: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/how-to-apply-for-30-hours-free-childcare/

it recommends applying between 15th October and end of November for this age bracket.

I found that when I went to do it it had already been set up on our tax free childcare account and we just had to give the code to our childcare provider and then they can calculate your new bill.

Sorry, juggling small child. What I was trying to say is, applying in November should be fine. What's the story with the nursery, do they allocate the place as soon as they get the code or as soon as the hours kick in?

Are you in Scotland? Ours was all done through the council/our own nursery, not the government website. Just in case!

thanks I was looking for a simple explanation like yours!
sometimes I read the gov sites on these things and still feel confused! But your explanation cleared that up 😊

Ah I see! Thanks 😊

Thanks everyone. Spoke to nursery and they think it’s odd that I can’t just get the code now so going to ring Gov tomorrow.
Thank you!!

Can I ask what the response was from the Gov?

In my area the funding starts from the day after their 3rd birthday so you may not need to wait until January to get the free hours.

@CrispyChilliOil
They would have automatically given me the code if at the time of my last reconfirmation my child was 2years 36m old, which apparently I missed by one week! I was a week early reconfirming last time so I will have to wait until the next re confirmation to get the code, but it’s still before the deadline of 31st Dec so I should be fine.
Have notified nursery too 👍

Is £100k earnings limit per parent or per household?

Per parent.