Please help me understand free childcare!

[LuckyMoonstone]

I don’t know how it works, so would appreciate any help, here is my situation.

DS is 3 in December, he is already at nursery. I have a childcare account that I pay into for the government top up, then pay his nursery through that. My account says nothing yet about whether DS will get 15 or 30 hours free at nursery when he turns 3. When does this get worked out and how?
Is it when you reconfirm your details every 3 months? If so, will it be when he is already 3 or just before? The next time I have to reconfirm details is May. So the next one would be August, then November, then Feb. Which application brings up the free childcare? And then does it start right from the application or the next term? Are nursery terms the same as school terms? DS doesn’t do terms, he goes all year round.

Would really appreciate someone helping me get my head around it!

Well the first thing you need to understand is that it isn't free!

Also, todays budget announcements might change things anyway. There is talk of funding becoming available for 1 and 2 year olds - no details yet though.

As things stand, you will be able to apply probably mid November - December for the funded hours to kick in from the start of the January 2024 term.

I filled out the application, was given a code, and had to give that along with my details including NI number, to the nursery. They deduct the funded hours from the invoice and we pay the remainder as DD is in full time, all year round, so it works out at about 22 funded hours a week for us.

Zzzz obviously in real terms it's not but it's the same as the NHS being free which it isn't either.
We get it, we pay for it via taxes.
Try being helpful instead!

Also if your child is in full time rather than term time only the allowance decreases. My son goes 50 weeks of the year and so the 30 hours a week reduces to 22.9 hours a week for free and then we top up the rest.

Well no, that's not what I meant you rude person. I mean, you will still be expected to make a contribution. Providers are also subbing the gap. I don't mean you just pay for it via taxes, I mean the amount settings get isn't the amount it costs so the income gap needs to be filled.

You’re like me, OP – a planner! But it’s just too early. And don’t worry, you don’t really “apply” – it all happens through the tax-free childcare account where you’re topping up money and confirming your eligibility for the government top-up anyway, and the account will automatically figure out when you’re due to get a code and give it to your nursery. And your nursery if it’s on the hall will regularly ask parents for their codes, and be aware of your DC turning three! It was all very smooth sailing for us even though we moved nurseries the week DD became eligible in September (despite being an April baby – we missed the cut-off date for summer term funding 😭).

@Hungrycaterpillarsmummy yeah that makes sense, 30 hours a week spread out over the full year, so actually less hours per week, would still be incredibly helpful for us

@bussteward ah ok that’s good it automatically knows, that’s the bit I was concerned about

Oh yes it's so good to get the discount on the invoice. Our son was 3 in aug and it made such a big difference but then out 1yr old started in Jan and so now back to 1.2k a month plus 3-400 for the eldest. It's hard.
Don't want to wish their live away but I can wait until the youngest is 3!

You just get an extra section on the account when it's nearer the time. I'm sure mine just appeared when dd was almost 3, I didn't do anything to get it.

@Porkscratching ah ok that’s good to know, thanks

My DS has just turned 3. As I already have an account and therefore they have our details, his code just appeared about 6-8 weeks before he turned 3. I didn't have to do anything

And others may have mentioned this but your DS HAS to do 3 full days a week to be eligible, otherwise he'll only get 15 free hours

I've never seen that requirement before, but then mine have always been in full time anyway. Do you have a link for this?

That may be your own nursery's rule but it's not a condition of the funding.