30 hours free funding for nursery for 3 year old

[Biosblbay]

So my son is due to go back to nursery next week, however I didn’t even think to ask about when the 30 free hours actually start. I had my second baby mid July so I think my head was just all over the place and so exhausted that I forgot to ask the nursery!

So my son turns 3 on September 13th, which is when you get the 30 hours free funding, however I have no idea when this kicks in! Would he go back on the 1st September and do his 30 hours from then, would it be from when he turns 3 so from the Monday 15th after he has just turned 3 or the term after he has turned 3 which I believe would be after the October holidays?

Before the summer holidays he was doing the 15 hours free over 2 days, Tuesdays and Thursdays. What I don’t want happening is taking him in on the Monday 1st September, him getting excited, for them to say he is only down for the 2 days still. Does anyone know how this works and if he would still be eligible for the 30 hours from the 1st even though he doesn’t turn 3 until the 13th September?

It is the start of the full term, not half term, after they turn 3 so in this case with a September birthday I will start in January.

Have you applied for the 30 hours funding already?

If not, do it today! The cut off for application is 31st August, to receive the 30 hour funding in September.

30 hour funding is available to eligible families from 9 months plus (from 1st September). So if you are eligible, you will be able to get the funding as soon as he goes back - you shouldn’t have to wait until his 3rd birthday.

if you don’t apply by 31st August you will have to wait until 1st January for his 30 hours (as long as you apply by 31st December).

I would apply right away. According to the gov.uk website:

www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/when-to-apply

If you were already getting the 15 hours working parent entitlement as a 2 year old, it will automatically become 30 hours this term. 2 year olds also get 30 hours in September.

However, have you actually told your nursery you want to increase his days?

@friskery thank you for this. Yes he was already receiving the 15 hours before, and Yes, nursery are aware his days will increase, I completed a form back in June to say he will do Monday to Thursday 8am to 3:30pm. So it will be ok to turn up on the Monday 1st Sept before he turns 3 still doing the 30 hours?

@Littlefish yes already done :) oh wow it’s 30 hours from 9 months now! I didn’t even know. I have a baby as well who is currently 7 weeks old, but when I come off of maternity leave that might be a huge help! Thank you

If that's when term starts

It starts the term after 9 months, but be mindful of applying in time. Eg if your baby was born in July, they will be eligible from the September, as long as you apply by 31st August. You will obviously need to have secured a place in a nursery too.

I mean this feels like something you should double check with the actual nursery - it sounds like it might be term time only in which case it may not start until later in the week - schools near me don’t go back until 4th and I think term time preschools would be the same.

Sounds like you have done what you need to to qualify for the 30 hours though so all set on that front.