30 free hours

[MrsG841]

Im confused about this

Does every child receive this once they turn 3 or is it for those claiming forms of benefits?

I think it is for those working who meet certain criteria. The universal 15 hours is still available once they have turned 3, and in some circumstances 2.

How do i find out if i can claim it DD turns 3 in feb

She wouldn't be eligible until after Easter. Not all settings are offering it due to the way the government is funding it.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41111132

www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds

Not all nurseries offer funded places.

Right so DH works full time and i do 20 hours per week above NMW both salaries comes to under £100,000 but i dont qualify is that right?

Based on you both working over 20 hours per week you should qualify. Where have you seen that you don't?

Not all nurseries / pre-schools are offering it though so you would need to check with them first.

The nursery she will be going to does accept it i believe....i just wondered as DH salary is quite high (£50,000) so plus mine i wouldnt qualify. Sorry this is why im c9nfused by it all

You will qualify if you earn the equivalent of 16 hrs at NMW or more a week and neither of you earns more than £100k (per individual, not combined). But not until Easter after she's 3. You wouldn't qualify for the 2 year old hours. But that's a completely separate scheme.

Nursery manager here who has just submitted paperwork for the first lot of parents claiming
You would be eligible on your incomes and your dd will be entitled from 1st April
But you have to apply before the end of the previous term
I.e. You need to have applied and give the code to the nursery before 31st march
You then need to reapply every 3 months and give the code yo the nursery
You will need to give the nursery your ni number and date of birth too
The website to apply for your code is childcare choices

Thank you everyone! Sometimes this stuff gets confusing

Thank you insancerre

Mine isn't offering it because they can't afford it! How are other places doing it?

Brutus
We are trying to encourage parents claiming it to increase their hours to mitigate the loss on the funded hours

Eligibility is outlined very clearly in this BBC article, which you may find useful: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41111132

Sounds like you should qualify. It would only start in the term following your child's 3rd birthday, though -- so, April.

Don't be surprised if you are asked to pay for meals etc as the scheme is drastically underfunded. You should still be much better off though.