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Hello @ItalianChineseIndianMexican

Yes - you can split your funded hours between two settings, like a nursery and a childminder. Just let both providers know how you want to divide the hours, and make sure they’re both registered to receive funding. It’s a great way to fit childcare around your family’s needs!

If you currently receive 15 hours for working families, just reconfirm as usual and your code will work for the 30 hours offer in September, providing you remain eligible and your provider has confirmed your new attendance pattern for your increased hours.

Hope that helps @grizzlygrump !

You’re right @Amphonw there is a 15 hours universal childcare offer for all families in England with 3-4 year olds. 15 hours for children under-3 isn't automatic for all families, but some 2-year-olds can get 15 hours if their family gets certain benefits or support (like Universal Credit or Disability Living Allowance) so even if you’re not working, you might still qualify. It’s worth checking your eligibility on www.childcarechoices.gov.uk or with your local council to see if your little one is eligible.

You’re right to check @Pastashape - it can be confusing!

If you’re currently getting 15 funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare for your first child, you can usually keep receiving these as long as you meet the eligibility rules (like meeting the minimum income threshold).

If you don’t return to work after your second child, you might lose eligibility for some of the support, but you don’t have to pay back funding you’ve already received. Just keep an eye on your circumstances and update your details if things change.

If in doubt, contacting the childcare helpline with your specific details is best — they can check your case.

Hi @LittleDeeAndME - it’s best to update your details with the government when you are told to reconfirm. That way, your circumstances will be assessed and you will find out if you continue to be eligible.

If your reduction in hours means the government says you are no longer eligible for the working parent entitlement, you may be able to still use your entitlement place at your provider for a short time, known as a 'grace period'. You should speak to your provider about this.

Hi @custardcream1000 !

In your first year of self-employment, you don’t need to meet the usual earnings threshold straight away - you just need to show that you're planning to meet it. If your income is low in the early months, that’s okay, as long as you’re working towards the earnings requirement. Just make sure to confirm your details when reapplying for your code every 3 months.

Hope that helps.

Hello! You’ll need to apply for your 30 hours code before you start your new role if you want to use your funded hours from September. Since you’re starting your new job on 8th September, you can apply the term before that, if your new role means you meet the income criteria. Just make sure to apply by the end of August to get the code in time for the autumn term.

Hope that helps @Khanga27

Hi @Hattoi !

You can apply for the 30‑hour code once you’re working (or due to start work). To summarise:

• You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old
• If you're starting a new job, the date you start work may affect when you can apply. For more information you can visit _https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/30-hours-childcare-support/working-families/eligibility_

Regarding Tax‑Free Childcare:

• You set up an account and get topped-up every time you pay in
• There’s no expiry date on the money in your account - it stays until you spend it
• But the government top‑up resets each quarter (every 3 months), and you must reconfirm eligibility or your payments will stop
• The “bonus” isn’t lost, but if you don’t reconfirm in time, new top-ups halt until you update your details

Hi @beenherebefore9 Good question. You will be eligible for 30 hours for working parents the term after your DD turns 9 months. So assuming you meet the other eligibility criteria, your DD will get the 30 hours from 1 January. You'll need to by apply by 31 December.

Hi @MessageMystery! Children need to have turned 9 months to be eligible the following term so yes, she'll be eligible for the funded hours in January. Just make sure to apply in time – you’ll need to have a valid code by the end of December to use the funding from January. You can check your eligibility and see information about how to apply at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Great question! If you work term time hours, your funded hours usually cover the same term time period, over 38 weeks of the year - so you get the funded childcare during the school terms, not the holidays.

If you need childcare during holidays or outside term time, you’d usually have to pay for those hours yourself, as the funding generally doesn’t cover them. You could also use Tax-Free Childcare to help cover costs if your holiday childcare provider is registered to recieve Tax-Free Childcare payments.

Some nurseries might offer “wraparound childcare” schemes or holiday clubs separately, but that depends on the provider.

If your working pattern is unusual, it’s always worth checking with your nursery how they apply the funding for your specific situation.

Hope that helps @HobNobAddict!

The 30 hours funded childcare scheme is expanding from September to include little ones from 9 months old, which is fantastic news!

However, the funding usually starts from the beginning of the term after your child turns 9 months. So if your little one turns 9 months on 29 November, the funding would start from the next term - beginning in January.

Because you’re coming back to work in December, you might need to cover childcare costs yourself for that short period before the funded hours kick in. You can also use Tax-Free Childcare during this time to help with some of those costs, if your provider is signed-up to recieve payments.

It’s always a good idea to double-check with your nursery and apply for your funding code in good time so everything is lined up when your funded hours start.

Hope that helps clear things up @Newusername1234567 !

Hi @pippapumpkin - thanks for your question.

You should apply for your 30 hours code on GOV.UK. HMRC check your earnings when you apply - you don’t need to wait for your tax return. After you apply, HMRC may need to ask you for further information to assess eligiblity.

As long as you meet the minimum income threshold (the equivalent of 16 hours a week at national minimum/living wage), you should be fine. Apply about a month before your child starts and remember to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months.

Good luck with preschool!

Hi @littlecottonbud! With variable hours, the government looks at your average earnings over the last 3 months to check if you meet the minimum income threshold for 30 hours funding, which is the equivalent of 16 hours a week at national minimum/living wage. So if some months you work fewer hours but it balances out, that should be fine.

Just keep your info up to date when you reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. Hope that helps!

Hi, sorry to hear about your redundancy @Almostone.

If you’re currently not working, you will not be eligible for the 30 hours funded childcare when your baby starts nursery.

It’s worth checking your eligibility on www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and reapplying once you’re back in work. Fingers crossed you find something soon!

Hi @Baby193! The 30 hours funded childcare is based on each parent meeting the work and income criteria. Unfortunately, your partner will be ineligible as a PhD student unless they can earn at least the minimum threshold outside of their studies.

Hi! You'll need to check with your provider. Some providers will stretch the funding over the year - so instead of 30 hours a week for 38 weeks, you might get fewer hours each week for 48 or 51 weeks, helping with cover during school holidays. Hope that helps @maciv234!

Hi @ruthr79 Yes, to qualify for the 30 hours from September 2025, you (and your partner, if you have one) must:

• Be working (or due to start a new job)
• Earn at least the minimum required over the next three months (the equivalent of 16 hours a week at minimum wage for your age)
• Earn less than £100,000 in adjusted net income per year, per parent
• Live in England

You're also eligible if you're on certain types of leave (like maternity, paternity, adoption or sick leave). If you’re self-employed, freelance or on a zero-hours contract, you may still be eligible, even if your income varies.

Even if you're not eligible for the 30 hours, remember: all three- and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours a week, regardless of household income or employment status.

You can check your eligibility at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Hello, each UK nation sets its own childcare funding rules, so England and Wales have different offers. For the latest info, check your local government site or www.childcarechoices.gov.uk for England. Hope that helps @SquashPenguin!

Hi! For 30 hours funding, both parents usually need to be working and expect to do so for the next 3 months after you apply, or reconfirm your eligibility.

If your partner’s contract is shorter or freelance, they’ll need to confirm they expect to earn the income threshold for 3 months to renew eligibility for the code.

If they are uncertain about their expected income, it might affect eligibility, but it’s worth checking with the childcare service as they can give advice based on your situation. Hope this helps @Writerscompanion!

Hello @greenmarsupial, thanks for the question! In order to be eligible for the working parent entitlement, both parents in a two parent household will need to earn between the equivalent of 16 hours a week at National Minimum/Living Wage, and less than £100,000 adjusted net income per year. As a bursary is not considered taxable earned income, this cannot be used towards the working parent entitlement unfortunately. However, students are still eligible for the universal 15 hours entitlement, which is available for all 3 and 4 year olds.

Hi @Usernamenope! If you are eligible, you can use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare to help pay for wraparound childcare. Just check with your provider to be sure they accept it!

Hi @Andriano From September, up to 30 hours childcare is available for eligible working families with children aged from 9 months up until they start school. If you are not eligible for the working parent offer you will still receive the 15 hour entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds from the term after your child turns 3 until they start school, irrespective of your income level, benefit status, or family circumstances. There is also 15 hours available for children aged 2 years receiving additional forms of support. Visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to check your eligibility and find out more about each offer.

Hi @Ina24! No, there aren’t specific government benefits for grandparents looking after babies, nor are you able to use the entitlements for childcare provided by a relative, such as a grandparent.

Hi @NATALIEANNE89! Yes, you can still get funded childcare on Statutory Maternity Pay if you meet the income rules. You can apply from when your LO is 23 weeks old, and funding starts the term after they turn 9 months.

If you are not eligible for the working parent offer you will still receive the 15 hour entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds from the term after your child turns 3 until they start school, irrespective of your income level, benefit status, or family circumstances. There is also 15 hours available for children aged 2 years receiving additional forms of support. Visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to check your eligibility and find out more about each offer.