Free childcare hours

I've just signed up to this too, we are entitled to it and my little one is 2 years 6 months. My little one is changing nursery's and starting in April when the funding starts. I thought all 2 years old are eligible for it

@Rebecca yeah I thought that all 2 year olds are eligible. But they just seemed to say that because he’s already 2 he won’t get it and will just have to wait until September to get the 30 free hours (as his birthday is in May). I don’t think thats right, like you say, so going to have to look into it more I think! X

@Laura yeah I thought they are all eligible unless it's because it's too close to his birthday? I don't really think there's enough information out there about it is there x

From April, all 2 years old with working parents should be entitled to the funding. My little one was 2 in August 2023 (been at nursery since 6 months old) and he will have 12 hours a week funded as we have the hours stretched, not just term time. I believe it's down to the nursery on their terms of how the hours can be used. I.e. our nursery is offering the funded hours as half day sessions, rather than full days, and a max of 3 sessions per week. Check the Childcare Choices Gov website 😊

@Emma thank you. So I definitely think my boy should be entitled to the free hours. Do you know what happens once they turn 3? As he won’t get the 30 free hours until September, but would the 15 free hours still continue until then? X

My little one is 3 in August. As far as I'm aware, he will have the 'new' free 15 hours (or 12 in our case) until September. Then from September (the term after he has turned 3) he will get 30 hours or probably slight less as we have it stretched over the full year.

Who at the nursery told you he wont be entitled to the funded hours?

@Emma this is exactly what I thought would happen too. I’ve spoken to a couple of the ladies at nursery about it, but I think they’re now going to look into it again, as I’ve given them the code I got given via the Government childcare website. 🤷🏻‍♀️ x

Yes that's correct, I had a form to fill in with the sessions we wanted, food required etc and to add the code on. Hope they get in the information they need and you get sorted ASAP! X

I'm not 100% sure, but I'm sure there is a time limit you have to apply. So, my little one turned 2 in Jan. I had between say the 1st and 28th of Jan to apply for a place in April when she would be entitled to start. If I miss that deadline, it would have to be the following term. I think that's how it works to my understanding. My 2 years old is not entitled to it as my partner works but I do not and he earns more than 15,000 per year.

I work in a nursery and you are entitled to 15 hours free childcare from April weather your child is just turning 2 or 2 years and 8 months then you'll get that until Sept then 30 hours will kick in the term after he turns 3. Feel free to pm me

Sounds to me like they don’t understand the new system - it’s new for everyone and the info from the government is a bit all over the place. You should be entitled 😊

@Kelly hi, is this for all 2 year olds?

Along as you don't earn over 100000 a year and you both work 16 hours a week you'll get working families funding. If one get universal credit payments you will get local authority funding 15 or 12 hours

We don’t get universal credits. My husband works 40hours a week and I work 20 hours. I have no idea what I’m doing 😢. When do I apply my little boy turns 2 in June x

We don’t earn over 100000 a year

This funding is new to us and we are still learning how it works. You can apply now for him to start in sept

Thank you!