Talk

Hey @BuggyBattles - you can start using the funded hours from 1st January 2026 - that’s the beginning of the next term after your child becomes eligible.

You can apply ahead of time to make sure everything’s in place. Applications for the January term usually open the term before, and you can apply up to 16 weeks before your child turns 9 months old, so you’d typically apply in the autumn (around mid-October to early November). You’ll need to reconfirm your details every 3 months, so applying too early can mean needing to reconfirm before using the hours.

Keep an eye on Childcare Choices (childcarechoices.gov.uk), which will let you know exactly when to apply based on your child’s date of birth.

Thanks for your question @Sheaintnomamyet - it’s totally understandable to want to make the most of your time off while also trying to plan ahead for childcare costs.

To qualify for the funded hours from January, you'll need to meet the working criteria by 30 September — which usually means being in paid work (including self-employment) and earning at least the minimum income threshold.

Keeping in touch (KIT) days on their own don’t count as officially returning to work, as you're still classed as being on maternity leave until you formally return. So if you're relying on funded hours starting in January, you'd need to return to work by the end of September.

We know that for many parents the timings can feel unfair - especially when they hinge on a child’s exact birthdate - but hopefully that helps clarify how it works. If you haven’t already, it might also be worth checking if you’re eligible for Tax-Free Childcare to help cover some of the costs in the meantime.

Hi @Vicky19891 - this is a great question, and it’s something that does come up for lots of parents navigating the timing.

To access the funded hours from the start of a term, you need to have applied by the end of the term before. So if you're starting work in February (mid-way through the spring term), you wouldn’t usually be eligible for funding until the start of the summer term in April. For more information on how the date you start work can affect when you take up the hours, you can have a look at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/30-hours-childcare-support/working-families/eligibility

Some nurseries might offer flexibility or allow you to delay payments in anticipation of funding, but that’s separate to the government’s rules. It's definitely worth double-checking with your provider and applying for the funding code once you’re eligible - and before the termly deadline.

You're very welcome @OliveMoonLight - this is another really good question, and we know the income rules can be a bit tricky to navigate.

To qualify for the funded childcare, both parents (in a couple) need to expect to be earning the minimum threshold during the 3-month period after they apply. You need to apply by the end of the term before you want to take up a place- and you can do so if your partner is due to start a new job by the end of the first month of the following term. This means you can apply

• by 31 August if you return to/start work by 30 September
• by 31 December if you return to/start work by 31 January
• by 31 March if you return to/ start work by 30 April

So in your case, if your partner starts a new job after 30 September, you wouldn’t be eligible for the funding until January.

However, if he's starting the new job before the end of September and is on track to meet the earnings threshold in the 3 months following your application, then you may still be eligible - even if the job is part-time. It’s all about the income earned during the qualifying period.

Hope that helps clear it up a bit. Let us know if you need help working out the threshold or timings.

Thanks for your question @Khud1. To access the funding for the summer term, you need apply by 31 March, if you expect to meet the income threshold in the three months following your application. If you're still on shared parental leave during that time, you may not qualify unless you're back at work and earning above the threshold. Worth keeping an eye on your return date if you’re hoping to use the funding then.

Thanks for laying this out — it’s a really thoughtful and honest overview, and we know how tricky this juggle can be, especially with having family abroad.

To pick out a few key points:

You’re right that if your little one turns 1 in February and you're not working yet, you'd likely apply by 31 March for the April term — assuming you meet the income thresholds by then. It's worth discussing your trip with your nursery and checking their policy on prolonged absence.

If you’re likely to need care only 2–3 days a week for around 34–40 weeks, a term-time nursery place could make sense, though these can be hard to find and may have less flexibility for working hours (especially late pick-ups). A childminder could definitely be a more flexible option — some are term-time only and may be more open to working around holidays or irregular schedules. That said, many do charge a retainer to hold a place if you’re taking extended time off, so it’s something to ask about.

Overall, it may come down to the provider’s flexibility and what kind of care environment suits your family best. You’re clearly planning carefully — and that will pay off.

Hope this has been helpful @FluffyCl0ud!

Hi @Twinnietwin - for the childcare funding, the £100k annual limit applies to each parent individually and is assessed across the full tax year (6 April to 5 April). So if your total adjusted net income income goes over £100,000 during the year, you will stop being eligible at the point you reconfirm.

It's also worth saying that this is based on adjusted net income, which does not include things like:

-donations made to charities through Gift Aid
-pension contributions

• trading losses

So yes, the 3-month check is for the minimum earnings, but the £100k adjusted net income is an annual cap, and if you earn over that amount you will stop being eligible for the 30 hours until the next financial year.

Thanks for your message @Jemariar. If your little one turns 9 months by September 2025, you may be eligible for the 30 hours funded childcare now to start in September 2025.

If you're already getting Tax-Free Childcare, you should receive a 30 hours code in your childcare account when you next reconfirm your eligibility, so you don't need to apply separately.

Hi @Andreiafbr - the 30 hours funded childcare scheme is only available in England. For Northern Ireland, please see this page for childcare support:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/help-paying-approved-childcare

Hi @SuzSETAREH,

You should apply for childcare funding in plenty of time before your child starts nursery to avoid missing any deadlines. Since you plan to start nursery full-time in April, aiming to apply around February or early March would be best, but bear in mind you need to get your 30 hours code by 31 March if you want to use 30 hours from 1st April.

You do have the right to request flexible working hours, like reduced days or shorter hours. It’s a good idea to speak openly with your employer about your situation and how flexible hours could help.

If you’re feeling unsure about how to approach this, there are plenty of resources and advice out there to support you.

Here’s a helpful link with advice on requesting flexible working at work, including how to approach your employer:
https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working

Also, Mumsnet’s community has lots of personal experiences and tips if you want to see how other parents have handled similar situations.

There’s no outright ban on registration fees, but nurseries can’t make you pay one as a condition of accessing funded hours. From April 2025, government guidance says all charges must be clearly voluntary and not tied to receiving the funded entitlement.

So if a nursery is requiring a non-refundable registration fee just to access your funded place, that’s not allowed. You can ask for a breakdown of charges, and if needed, raise it with your local authority. Hope this helps @MidnightPatrol

Hi @MissMoan Yes – there’s an online eligibility checker on the Childcare Choices website:
https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

It lets you see what support you could get, based on your family’s circumstances.

Hi @Wildtropical - no it is not - the government are really clear on this, you cannot be asked to pay a top-up fee, general fee, sustainability fee, business continuity fee, or any other fee that is not specifically for (and itemised for) food, non food consumables (that are not part of the EYFS, and not a normal business running cost), or activities that go above and beyond the EYFS. If you're unsure about a charge you have received, then speak to your local authority.

Hi there @MummaB96 - thanks for your question. To get the funded hours for working parents, you generally need to earn the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage (currently around £195/week if you're over 21). HMRC look at your average earnings, so if you're paid over the year meaning your weekly pay is slightly under that threshold, you will unfortuantely not be eligible.

Childcare Choices may help to find you other sources of support depending on your income, such as Universal Credit Childcare or the 15 hours for two year olds from families recieving additional support.

Hi @grahamw2000 - this sounds stressful and you're absolutely not the only one finding it tricky to navigate.

You're right that the guidance on this situation has recently been updated. If your partner is due to start full-time work on 29 September and is using paid leave beforehand, HMRC may still consider that as ‘in work’ for the purposes of the funded childcare application - as long as the earnings threshold is also met.

Childcare Choices advises that in these cases, parents should call HMRC directly to talk through the application, especially where it’s pending or your circumstances don’t fit neatly into the standard online journey.

To get the 30 hours funding for the September term, your code needs to be issued before 31 August for the funding to apply.

If you've already submitted the application and haven't heard back for a few days, it’s worth following up with the Childcare Service - and explaining clearly that your partner is on paid leave ahead of their start date and is due to return to work in the first month of the new term.

Hope this helps — and really hope you get it sorted in time

Hi there @San2022 - thanks for your question.

Being on maternity leave won’t automatically affect your eligibility for the 30 funded hours for your 2-year-old. As long as you meet the earnings threshold (or are on maternity leave from a job where you did), and your partner (if you have one) meets it too, then you should still qualify. You’ll need to reconfirm your details every three months, so just make sure they’re up to date during your leave.

And yes - when your second child turns 9 months, you’ll be able to apply for funded hours for them too, as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria, although the date you return to work from maternity leave may affect when you can take up the funded hours.

The hours apply per eligible child, not per family - so both children can benefit at the same time once they each reach the right age.

Hope that clears it up!

Hi there - thanks for your question.

If you're already receiving the 15 hours for families receiving additional support, you will need to apply separately for the 30 hours for working families.

If you meet the criteria, you can apply through the Childcare Service on GOV.UK if you haven’t already, and will need to confirm your details every three months. Your childcare provider will handle the paperwork once you have the code.

If you're using the 15 hours working parent entitlement, you just need to reconfirm as normal on your childcare account (but you may need to check with your provider to confirm you're increasing your hours). Hope that helps @TaleOfTheContinents.

Hi - thanks for your question @Whochangedmyusername

Nurseries and childcare providers must accept funded hours if they offer places for funded children. They cannot refuse your child just because you’re using funded hours, but it's up to them to decide if they want to offer funded places.

That said, places can sometimes be limited, so if a nursery is full, they might not be able to offer a spot. But the funding itself shouldn’t be a reason for refusal.

Hi @Almostone. If you’re newly self-employed and your business is less than 12 months old, you can earn less and still be eligible for 30 hours funded childcare. This gives you time to build your business and income.

You’ll need to provide your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) and other details when applying online. After the first year, you’ll need to show that your earnings meet the required level to keep qualifying, with eligibility checks every three months.

Applying early helps make sure your code is ready for the nursery start. You can find more information on childcarechoices.gov.uk.

Thanks for your question @TheMotherofDogs.

The 30 hours funded childcare is available from the term after your child is 9 months old, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. So, since your daughter is already over 9 months old, you can definitely get 30 hours from September if you apply and receive your eligibility code by 31 August.

Your nursery should be able to confirm this once you have your code. If they’re unsure, it’s worth checking with your local authority to make sure everything is set up correctly.

Hi, thanks for your question. For 30 hours funded childcare, both parents usually need to be working and earning at least the National Minimum or Living Wage for 16 hours a week each. So if your husband stops working entirely to study full-time, this would affect your eligibility for the 30 hours.

However, you will still qualify for the universal 15 hours funding for your child once they’re 3, regardless of your partner’s student status.

It’s always worth checking your specific situation with your local authority or on childcarechoices.gov.uk to see what options are available. Hope this helps @Amy18120202!

Yes - you can start a new business and still be eligible. If you’ve been self-employed for under 12 months, you can earn less and still apply. You apply via the gov.uk website - not your provider - and you’ll need to reconfirm every 3 months.

The 30 hours offer is designed to support working families, but we know everyone’s circumstances are different - it’s worth checking what other support may be available through your local authority or the Childcare Choices website: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Thanks for the question @ByPinkFis

Thanks for your question @Rayray22 - and yes, there is some flexibility for self-employed parents.

If you’ve been self-employed for less than 12 months, you don’t need to meet the minimum earnings threshold yet - there's a grace period while you get up and running.

But if you’ve been self-employed for longer than a year, both you and your partner usually need to be earning at least £195 per week (this can be averaged over 3 months) to qualify for the 30 funded hours before age 3. If you're just under, you can also use an average of how much you expect to earn over the current tax year if you do not expect to earn enough in the next 3 months.

From the term after your daughter turns 3 (so January), you should be able to access the universal 15 hours, and - if eligible - the 30 hours too.

Yes - being on paternity leave (whether paid or unpaid) doesn't automatically make you ineligible.

If your husband is usually employed and meets the minimum earnings requirement when working (at least £195 per week), you can still qualify for the funded childcare while he’s on paternity leave. HMRC counts your normal earnings outside of parental leave when assessing eligibility.

Just be sure to reconfirm your details when prompted, and explain the temporary change if needed. You can check your current eligibility on the Childcare Choices website: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Hope this helps! @MittensForKittens123

Hi all,

Just a quick note from MNHQ - Tina and Sarah are the only official guests on this webchat, so any verified information will be coming directly from their accounts (TinaWilliamsMumsnet and SarahwalkerEY).

Other posters may be sharing their own experiences or views, which can be useful, but please remember these aren’t official answers. Always double-check before acting on any advice that hasn’t come from Tina or Sarah.

Thanks, and carry on with the questions!