Ask us anything about funded childcare - eligibility, applying, and what to expect £100 voucher to be won!

[LibbyMumsnet]

From September, eligible working parents in England with children aged 9 months to school age will be able to access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week - part of the government’s expanded childcare offer in England.

We know that for many parents, it’s not always straightforward. You might be wondering:
– Am I eligible?
– How do I apply – and what’s the deadline?
– What will funded hours actually look like in practice?
– How do I feel about sending my child to nursery or a childminder?

This Q&A is here to help. Whether you’re after clear, practical info about the funding or want a better sense of what formal childcare is really like, post your question below and we’ll do our best to get it answered.

No question is too small – if it’s on your mind, chances are it’s on someone else’s too.
We’ve brought together two brilliant experts to support this discussion:
👩‍💼 Sarah Walker, an experienced Early Years teacher, who can answer any questions about formal childcare
👩‍👧 Tina Williams, Head of Editorial at Mumsnet and a parent currently using funded hours, who’ll be sharing her real-life experience

They’ll be answering questions weekly throughout July and August in the lead-up to the 31st August application deadline.

💬 Ask your question below by 31st August and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 VEX gift voucher (T&C’s apply)

It’s 15 hours childcare not for all families?
As current I’m not working! But I would like my 2 years baby go to nursery in September. I have been check out from gov.it’s I eligible for15 hours early learning for families in England receiving some additional forms of support.What is mean by this?

Hello,
Does anyone know- I’m currently on maternity allowance (self employed) with my 2nd child.
My 1st child is nearly 3 (end July)
We currently get the 15 hours working families and the tax free childcare for our 1st child.
Ive being told mixed things when I ring the helpline whether I’m still entitled to the childcare help? I’m sticking with Yes I am allowed to still receive the childcare help for our 1st child. Does anyone know for definite ?!
My main question, if I don’t return to work after having my 2nd child, do we have to pay any of the childcare help back?
Thanks !!!!

How much notice would I need to give if I reduce my hours and may no longer be eligible.

Hi everyone - thanks for all your questions so far! Sarah and Tina will be starting to answer some of them this week.

My 3 year old is starting nursery in September. I am going to apply for 30 hours of funding as I am planning to go self employed when she starts. However, I am confused about what earnings I need to make as it just stipulates that you can earn less in your first 12 months.

Obviously I am hoping the business will go well, but what happens if I don't make anything in the first few months?

Hi there. My child turns 1 in september and also starting nursery September. I am on maternity leave in my current job (unpaid portion) but am changing jobs for another company. Last day of current job is end of August, and I start new job 8th September. Under salary for both jobs we would qualify for 30 hours funding. However given job change when should I apply for funding code?

I have to go back to work after 9 months otherwise me and my partner cannot afford to live in our house with child costs on top of that and im not entitled to benefits.

We both have good jobs however after 9 months i dont get paid and we will struggle to live off one wage.
For majority of parents in this day and age with the cost of living may be able to do it. However they do end up moaning about not being able to do nice things with their child ie. Take them on holiday, do activities with them during the holidays ect.

Bit of a silly thing to say when nobody is in the same boat.

People may disagree and say a child does not need a holiday or whatever. What i say is it doesnt have to be abroad for them to explore more than just the house and streets they live on.

So your comment isnt a one size fits all as we cant all stay at home with our child until they go to school to look after them.
Nursery practitioners learn everything about your child from the get go, they get given a pack which will help create the bond by following a routine that is also used at home. Yes it isnt with mum but its another care provider that should be able to look after them the same.

Sorry but I believe this provision should be ring fenced to people who work as a priority as we don't have a choice but to send them to childcare, then if there's spaces after the working parents provision they should be offered to non working parents.

@prettypeace I have no choice but to go back to work after 6 months, my new baby would not be able to survive if I didn't. What do you propose I do?

You say 8 weeks to apply, but actually, you can only apply if you are going back to work in 30 days or less, is that right?

How does the tax free childcare work in terms of the money expiring? My friend told me if the money isn't used in three months the bonus is forfeited or something?

I'd like to know this too 😃

My little girl turns 3 in September. Someone has mentioned that she won't be eligible for the 30 hours until the term after she turns 3, which would be the January? Is this correct or are all children who are over 9 months in age and are entitled to the hours eligible straight away from September?

Oh sorry! I meant born on 28.02.2025

Born 28.02.25
9 months on 28. 11. 25
Eligible from January 2026 assuming you return to work on or before 31. 01. 26

Get your code by 31. 12. 25 to be valid for the following term.

I’d like my child to start nursery in January, will we be able to apply for the 30 hours then? She will be three in April.

Not sure if this has already been asked, but can nurseries/preschools refuse to accept the free hours if the child is SEN? Because it has happened three times so far to my neighbour who has an autistic child that uses a wheelchair. The nurseries have all claimed they can't accept the child as his care would cost more than the free hours are worth, and that my neighbour needs to apply for extra funding for her son. But she needs a EHC plan for that, which she can't get as the council are dragging their feet on doing assessments

How does the funding work if you work term time hours ?

Why am i not eligible from 29.11 since my child is 9 months by then? Coming back to work in December.

Hopefully one of the experts looking will be able to reply with more information, but my understanding is that you can’t apply until your child is 9 months old, and funding start dates are 1st September, 1st January and 1st April. You can’t apply for starting in September term because at time of applying your child won’t be 9 months old, and you can’t have funding start part way through a term. So you have to apply to start the following term, applying after your child is 9 months old, so you’ll have the funding from the January start date.

Oh bugger! Full price it is then..

I work freelance and my child is now 3 starting pre school in September

How do I claim the free hours, as in how do they know I’m entitled? I am not due to do a tax return till the end of the year but I do meet the minimum earning threshold, but how do I prove that?

That depends on the mother. If you mother is Tracy Connelly you are better off in a nursery.

Hello, how does a variable hours contract affect your claim, I am a carer and sometimes work 20 hours other 30 hours ?

I have been made redundant while on maternity leave. My leave has now ended and my baby is due to go to nursery is September.
have I now lost my funding as I look for work?

My daughter is 3.5 and starting at a school nursery in September. Currently we receive 15 hours support. I work full time but my partner is doing a PhD. He doesn’t pay tax but his stipend is so low it seems mad that we aren’t entitled to the 30 hours. I am confused by what’s being brought in in September - will we still not be eligible due to his PhD?

Brutal but true😂😂