Government funding for childcare

It should be within 30 days of your start date ideally, but you’ll need to apply before then end of this year so you can give it to nursery to apply for funding before the start if term. If it’s over 30 days, they can provide you with a temporary code to give to nursery but you have to call after applying online.

@Rosie thank you ☺️ do you know how long it takes to receive the code if you apply within 30 days of your start date ? Is it instant?

I can’t remember but it definitely wasn’t instant. I think maybe a couple days max? Not 100% though.

I've just been on to do the same. My maternity leave ends at the end of December and was thinking to do some settling days at nursery while I take my accrued annual leave at the start of next year. The .gov website said to apply 31 days or less before the start date so I'm going to set a reminder to do it online at the start of December. I don't see the point of calling for a temporary code to have to call again in December anyway

So I tried to apply for my childcare hours as due to start back in January and the advice online said to apply between October and January.. was sent a letter to call, called up and told it’s too early but they’ll give me a temporary code, transferred me to the childcare team and the lady told me to call back/ reapply in December for a permanent code 😂 Pointless time wasting, not sure why they even allow you to start the application with more than 30 days to go before your start date if get fobbed off anyways? So I’ll probably just do it again end of December, about 30 days before I’m due back into work!

@Kirsty I know, I thought the same! The guide says to apply now 😂🤯