Can someone explain the nursery systems and free hours to a FTM with absolutely no education re this topic?
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This is great thank you so much!!
Both parents (if living together) have to be earning a certain amount each for the funding to be applicable. You also can't just send your child for the hours that are free or funded, most nurseries require them to attend a certain number of hours overall, for you to be eligible for their funding (I hope this makes). My nursery for example require a 30hour attendance for the 15 hours free to be applicable on your bill. Nurseries also aren't obligated to provide funded hours spaces at their settings, for example they will have a certain number of slots where funded hours can be used (I think), or, they may not. You would need to check with each nursery whether they have funded spots available and what minimum hours your child needs to attend. Usually they will help you work out what your bills will look like overall.
Heya. So this September, the government introduced 15 funded hours for babies 9 months up. The funded hours start the term after your baby turns 9months. You need to apply online 31 days before you go back to work to get your code which you need to give to the childcare provider. Some childcare providers spread the hours out across the year, some only allow the hours to be used on certain days and some have additional costs. These may effect how much you have to pay on top. Also, nurseries book up.fast so get your little one on a waiting list as soon as you can. Some mums put theirs on the list before they gave birth. See: https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working You can also get tax free childcare which is an account you pay in to and for every £8 the government puts in £2. This can only be used to pay direct to your childcare provider. See: https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare