Talk

Hi @Lorlypop - you need to apply, and get a code, before each term starts to get your funded hours on time. If your child turns 9 months old:

• between 1 Apr– 31 Aug, apply by 31 Aug for hours from 1 Sept
• between 1 Sept– 31 Dec, apply by 31 Dec for hours from 1 Jan
• between 1 Jan– 31 Mar, apply by 31 Mar for hours from 1 Apr

You can visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk for more details on deadlines.

Thanks for the question @DinkyDaffodil!

Yes, you might need to provide proof of ID and residency when applying for funded childcare or Tax-Free Childcare. To make things easier, when making your application you might want to have to hand:

• Your National Insurance number
• Your child’s birth certificate reference
• Recent payslips or proof of income
• Passport or residence permit

Hi @RubyFlewToo - thank you for flagging this!

You're absolutely right. If eligible, you can receive Tax-Free Childcare for your child until 1 September after their 11th birthday, or until 1 September after their 16th birthday if they are disabled.

Thanks again for helping us keep things accurate - much appreciated.

That sounds like a really frustrating situation, and I’m sorry you've been given conflicting advice @Anonymouse2019.

Just to clarify: all 3- and 4-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare a week. The full 30 hours is only available to eligible working families — so if you're not currently working due to caring responsibilities or health reasons, you wouldn't meet the criteria for the extended offer, unless your partner is in work and you receive one of the following:

• Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Limited Capability for Work Benefit
• contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance

The changes to childcare funding have been rolled out gradually, but it’s not the case that all children over 9 months will automatically get 30 hours from September.

It might be worth checking if you’re eligible for Universal Credit Childcare support, which can help cover up to 85% of childcare costs needed to help parents work. You can find more info at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Hi @sharond101! Yes, there can be some flexibility, but it depends on the childcare provider.

The funded hours can be used across different days and times, including weekends in some cases, as long as the provider is registered to offer funded places and agrees to the pattern. Some settings offer stretched funding across the whole year rather than term time only, and some allow you to split hours between two providers.

It’s always worth speaking directly with your provider about what they can offer, as availability and flexibility can vary depending on staffing and demand.

Hi @namenomnombre. Funded hours usually cover term time only, usually 30 hours per week over 38 weeks a year. Some providers stretch funding across the full year, including holidays - it’s best to check with your nursery for how they handle this.

As many providers are closed on Bank Holidays, you're best speaking to your nursery to check how this might affect your funded hours.

For the 30 hours funded childcare, both parents usually need to be working to qualify, unless one parent is working and the other is in reciept of certain benefits. So you may still be eligible if you recieve:

• Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Limited Capability for Work Benefit
• contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance

This means you may still be eligible if your partner meets the minimum income requirements. However, it's also worth saying that your son can still get the universal 15 hours funded childcare from the term after he turns 3, no matter your work status.

It’s worth checking with your local council or family services for extra support options that might help with your situation.

Hope that helps @OchreBird.

It’s completely normal for your childminder to ask for your partner’s National Insurance number when using the 30 hours funded childcare code. This is needed to confirm eligibility with the government.

As for your child’s NHS number, it’s less commonly requested but some settings might ask for it to help with their records or official checks. If you’re unsure, it's okay to double check with your childminder why they need this information, or you can contact your local authority for clarification on why your childminder might need your child's NHS number.

Hope that helps @Ccg123

Thanks for your question @Anonymous4422 - this is a really common situation and you're not alone in feeling the pressure when working hours and workloads don’t quite match.

Yes, you can still be eligible for both funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare if you move to contract work - as long as you (and your partner) each earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at minimum wage on average over the next 3 months.

Gaps between contracts can affect your eligibility if your income temporarily drops below that threshold. But once you’re working again and earning enough, you can reapply. There’s also some flexibility if you’re newly self-employed or just starting out.

Your husband’s full-time work helps too, as both parents need to meet the criteria (unless one is earning and the other is receiving certain benefits).

Totally makes sense @OliveMoonLight - it's a really common point of confusion.

The good news is: yes, your annual leave taken at the end of maternity leave does count as being back at work for funding purposes. So if your maternity leave officially ends in September and you're on paid annual leave from then, you're considered to be “in work” in the eyes of the eligibility check.

That means you'd be eligible to apply for funded hours to use in the September term, as long as you apply and get your code by 31 August.

And no - there’s nothing stopping you from going into work at the end of September and then taking annual leave after that. It’s all about what your official working status is, not whether you’re physically in the building.

Thanks for your question @ByPinkFis!

If you’re a full-time student getting the NHS Childcare Grant, you may not be eligible for the 30 hours funded childcare, as it’s for parents who are in paid work, earning the equivalent of at least 16hrs per week at NMW (and under £100,000 adjusted net income per year).

However, your child can still get 15 hours of funded early education from the term after their third birthday, no matter your work status.

If you return to work later, you could become eligible for the 30 hours then. And even if you've not returned to work, you will be eligible to get the 15 hours universal entitlement when your child turns 3

For more info, check the Childcare Choices website or your local council.

Hi @AgreeToDisagreeSometimes thanks for your question, I've just had to re-apply for my code recently so I can take this one. I've attached some screengrabs, hopefully that will help make things a little clearer!

1. I received an email from childcare services reminding me to reconfirm one month before I had to renew my code.
2. Follow the link in the email to _https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-childcare-account_ and log into your account.
3. Once you're logged in click on the re-confirmation block and fill in the form, it's very similar to the form you fill out at the start, basically just confirming your details and work-status. It took me less than five minutes.
4. I received a message in my secure message inbox saying I had successfully reconfirmed. I can't remember how many days later that message was sent but it was very quick.

But here's where I think it gets a bit confusing...You don't get an email with your code after you've reconfirmed.

5.To access your childcare code, go back to the homepage of your childcare account and locate the block titled "Free childcare for working parents."

1. Click on the link and you'll find your code.
2. Email the code to your nursery.

Now that I've been through the process once, it's actually very simple. But the first time was a little confusing! Hope that helps!

You're very welcome @Writerscompanion - and yes, happy to clarify.

The grace period only applies to the 30 hours funded childcare, not to Tax-Free Childcare.

If you're already using 30 funded hours and then become ineligible when you next need to reconfirm (for example, because you have experienced a drop in income which means you don't meet the minimum threshold), you’ll usually still get the hours for a short time - that’s the grace period your nursery mentioned. It gives you a bit of breathing space while your circumstances settle.

Tax-Free Childcare doesn’t have a grace period in the same way - eligibility is checked every 3 months, and if you don’t reconfirm or no longer meet the criteria, top-up payments can stop right away once you become ineligible ( you can still use your Childcare Account to pay your provider). But you can reapply as soon as you’re eligible again.

So for the funded hours, yes, there’s a grace period. For Tax-Free Childcare, it’s a bit stricter - it’s best to reconfirm by the deadline each time. You can reconfirm for both at the same time to make it easier to remember!

Thanks for your question @mouse36 - that’s a great plan!

So if you're applying for an older child, not the one you're on leave for, you can go straight ahead and apply now. If you're applying for the child you're on leave for, then you're actually able to apply if you plan on going back to work one calendar month following the start of the term. That means you're able to claim the entitlements from the 1st January, if you are going back to work on or before 31 January. The same thing happens for the April term if you return on or before 30 April, and the September term if you return on or before 30 September.
You will need to apply online as normal during the autumn term, and before 31 December- your application may show as ‘pending’ but don't worry - you should then receive a letter in the post within 1 to 2 weeks, enabling you to access your entitlement.

If one parent is starting or returning to work within one month of the start of term (that is, 30 September, 31 January or 30 April), while the other parent remains on parental leave until a later date, then you would be eligible to apply.

If you are on paid annual leave and receiving your salary as normal, this counts as having returned to work for the purposes of eligibility for the working parent entitlement.

A great question - and sounds like you’ve planned well ahead.

As long as you’re earning the equivalent of at least 16 hours a week at minimum wage, you’ll still meet the eligibility for both 30 hours funded childcare and Tax-Free Childcare. Going down to 3 days a week shouldn’t affect your eligibility, as most teachers working 3 days still meet the earnings threshold.

You’ll need to apply the term before you want to start using the hours (e.g. by 31 December for a January start), and reconfirm your details every 3 months — so just make sure your income is expected to meet the threshold during that period.

No need to delay your application while waiting for formal approval - you can base it on your expected working pattern.

Hope that helps @ridl14

Not obvious at all - lots of parents are wondering the same!

You’ll need to apply for your 30 hours code the term before you want to start using the hours. So for a January nursery start, you’ll need to apply by 31 December. You can apply for your entitlement up to 16 weeks before your child turns 9 months - so anytime from late September onwards would work well.

To be eligible, both parents usually need to be working and earning at least the minimum threshold. However, if you're on statutory maternity leave, you're still considered eligible - even if your pay has stopped - as long as your partner meets the earnings requirement and you're planning to return to work.

So yes, even if you're in the unpaid part of your mat leave, you should still be eligible as a household. Just make sure to apply ahead of 31 December, and confirm your details before the deadline.

Hope that helps @DinoGD

Hi @DoreenGrey! It’s a good idea to apply as soon as you can using your child’s current details, so you don’t miss out on funding.

When the adoption’s finalised and the name changes, just speak with your local authority and your nursery to ensure their system is updated with the new name. Before you next reconfirm your 30 hours code, you can also contact the Childcare Service to make sure they're aware of the name change.

Applying early means you’re less likely to miss out, and any admin updates can be sorted alongside. Hope that helps!

Hi @PCAMum thanks for your question, and sorry for the delay. We would be concerned about parents receiving the entitlements paying higher rates for private-paid hours than other parents. We can’t be certain, but this may be a top up fee - which isn't allowed. Unfortunately, we can't give legal advice, but strongly suggest you speak to your local authority to see if they can look into this or direct you to get some assistance (if they think the rates are a fully private matter). They can also help you find an alternative childcare place that still suits your needs.

Thanks for sharing @RHJc24, and we know this is something that’s come up for a few parents recently.

Just to explain, while the government funds a set number of hours, providers can set their own charges for things that fall outside those funded hours — such as meals, snacks, extra activities, or additional hours of care. These charges vary by setting, and they should be clearly set out in your contract or by the provider directly.

If you’re seeing a change in fees, it’s worth asking your nursery for a breakdown so you understand exactly what’s included and how the new costs are worked out. Every setting structures things a bit differently, so it’s not always a like-for-like comparison.

If you're still unsure about anything, we would recommend you speak to your local authority about it.

Hi @Chickierock66 - thanks for the question. It’s completely understandable to feel confused, as how the funded hours are delivered can vary quite a bit from one setting to another.

The government funding covers up to 15 or 30 hours a week (depending on eligibility) for 38 weeks of the year - that’s based on a school term-time model. Some nurseries “stretch” those hours across more weeks - like 50 weeks - which means you get fewer funded hours per week, but spread over the full year.

Providers can also set their own daily session lengths and charge separately for things like meals or care outside the funded hours. For example, if their standard day runs from 7:45 to 6pm, that’s longer than the 6 hours typically funded in a 9–3 day - so they may charge for the extra time.

It’s worth asking the nursery to give you a simple breakdown showing:

• how they’ve applied the funded hours
• what’s included in your grandson’s day
• what’s being charged for, and why

Hope that helps clear a few things up. If its still not clear after that, we would recommend speaking to your local authority about it.

Thanks for the question @Thatslifethatsit.

Nurseries set their own fees, and the way the funding works means they may charge for extras like meals or activities. While you get funded hours from the government once your child turns 3, the funding is based on standard rates and how your nursery delivers care may affect what you’re asked to pay. Every setting is different, so it's worth asking for a breakdown if anything’s unclear.

Another great question @ridl14

Nurseries can charge for meals, snacks, nappies and other consumables alongside funded hours, but they shouldn't charge for days when your child isn’t actually attending.

If your child starts partway through a term, the funded hours (and any related charges) should only apply from their start date - not before. If you’re being asked to pay for anything before your child begins, it’s worth asking the nursery for a breakdown and checking it with your local authority if you’re unsure.

Thanks for asking about this @tillytown. Nurseries and preschools shouldn’t refuse funded hours just because a child has SEN or a disability. The funding is there to support eligible children, including those with extra needs.

Sometimes settings say the standard funding doesn’t cover the extra care required. In those cases, there are additional funding options, like Disability Access Funding (DAF) or Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (SENIF). For both DAF and SENIF, the provider would need to apply for that separately.

I know getting an EHC plan can take a long time, which is really frustrating. While waiting, it’s a good idea to speak to the local family information service or the council’s SEND team about what support might be available.

Local authorities and early years providers have duties via the SEND Code of Practice, Equality Act 2010, and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework to promote equality and inclusion for children with disabilities or SEN, removing the barriers that prevent children from accessing early education.

If nurseries are refusing to accept the child outright, it’s worth getting advice from local SEND services or charities like IPSEA, who help parents challenge these situations.

Thanks for your question @B1984 - you're not alone in feeling frustrated. Unfortunately, parents without recourse to public funds aren’t eligible for the funded childcare schemes that require an application. All families can still access the universal 15 hours from age 3.

Hey @Flowersanddaisies - totally understandable to feel worried about how things will work - especially with both of you working full time, no nearby family support, and your husband’s epilepsy to consider.

The good news is:

From September 2025, eligible working parents can access 30 hours of funded childcare from when their child is 9 months old

You can also use Tax-Free Childcare - the government tops up what you pay in by 20%, and it can be used for nurseries, childminders, nannies and wraparound care (as long as they’re registered).

If safety at home is a concern, some families use registered childminders for more flexible and personalised support. You could also use a nanny who comes into your home, but you can't use the funded hours with nannies.

When the time comes, your local Family Information Service can help you explore what’s available near you and talk through your options.

You’re doing the right thing by thinking it through early - and there is support out there to help you make it work.