From September 2024 if you are a working parent and your child is 9 months and above, you might be eligible for 15 hours a week of funded early learning childcare. Working parents includes employed, self-employed and workers on a zero-hour contract.
To take up the 15 hours of funded childcare families need to meet all the following criteria:
- both parents are working or in a lone parent family the sole parent must work
- each parent works a minimum of 16 hours a week or earns on average a weekly minimum amount equivalent to 16 hours a week at either the national minimum wage or national living wage
- each parent earns less than £100,000 per year
There are exceptions to both parents having to work. Families where one parent does not work (or neither parent works) will not usually be entitled to the 15 hours extended entitlement; however, they will be eligible where:
- both parents are employed but one (or both parents) is temporarily away from the workplace on:
- parental leave
- maternity, or paternity leave
- adoption leave
- statutory sick pay
- one parent is employed, and one parent has substantial caring responsibilities based on specific benefits received for caring or is in receipt of specific disability or incapacity benefits
You can apply for 15 hours of funded childcare if you are starting or re-starting work within the next 31 days.
If you already receive 15 funded hours of childcare for your 2-year-old, due to specific circumstances or being in receipt of certain benefits, you cannot take up these hours as well.
You can receive the 15 hours of funded childcare at the same time as using tax-free childcare or Universal Credit for childcare.
How to apply
Eligibility for the 15 hours of funded childcare for working parents is determined by HMRC.
Check your eligibility and apply
If you need assistance to apply, or experience problems with the online application process, you can contact the Childcare Service helpline at HMRC Tel: 0300 123 4097 (phone line is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm).
To complete the application, you will need to provide your name, address, and national insurance number, as well as whether you expect to meet the income requirements over the next 3 months and whether you are in receipt of any benefits.
If you live with a partner, you will need to provide the same information for them as well. This will enable HMRC to decide whether your child is eligible for the funded hours.
When to apply
If you are eligible, you’ll receive 15 hours of funded childcare the term after your child turns 9 months old. You can check your eligibility and apply for your code up to 16 weeks before your child is due to start but the Department for Education (DfE) recommend the following application timeframes:
- Your child turns 9 months old from: 1 April top 31 August 2024
- They can get their hours from: term starting on or after 1 September
- Recommended time to apply: 15 June to 31 July
- Your child turns 9 months old from: 1 September to 31 December 2024
- They can get their hours from: term starting on or after 1 January
- Recommended time to apply: 15 October to 30 November
- Your child turns 9 months old from: 1 January to 31 March 2025
- They can get their hours from: term starting on or after 1 April
- Recommended time to apply: 15 January to 28 February
You can apply outside of these recommended dates, but you might not receive your code in time. You must have a valid code by the end of the month before a new term starts to be able to access the funded hours.
If you are already accessing tax-free childcare for your child, you will only be able to apply for the 15 hours of funded childcare during your tax-free childcare account’s reconfirmation window.
Reconfirming your code
You will need to reconfirm your details approximately every 3 months to prove you still meet the eligibility criteria. Reconfirmation periods may fall in line with older siblings which may make the validity period of your code initially shorter than the approximate 3 months, therefore, it is important that you check the end date in your childcare account.
To renew your code, you will need to log into your childcare account.
When you're in the account go to 'secure messages'. You can access this section at any time. Check the 'reconfirmation' section to find your reconfirmation date. You can reconfirm your eligibility up to 4 weeks before your reconfirmation date. HMRC should also send you reminders when your reconfirmation date is due.
Please remember to check your junk email folder for reminders from HMRC, as these can sometimes be mistaken by your email provider as junk.
If you have applied more than 3 months before the term starts, you’ll have to reconfirm your eligibility in your account to keep your code valid even if you haven't started using the funding yet.
How to find a childcare place
There is a choice of early education providers such as a school nursery class, preschool playgroup, private day nursery or childminder. You can search approved providers on the childcare directory to find a place.
There is no limit on the number of providers you can use, however, you will be limited to no more than 2 sites in a single day.
Search for childcare near you
If you need any support finding a place to meet your needs contact The Families Information Service by email: info.fis@derbyshire.gov.uk, or tel: 01629 535793.
Paying for your child's early education place
Your child's early education place is paid for by the government, however, schools and childcare providers can charge for meals, consumables (such as nappies and sun cream), additional activities (such as trips) or additional hours (hours that are taken over and above the funded entitlement hours).
Where a parent chooses to pay for additional hours, this is a private arrangement between the parent and the school or childcare provider.
Schools and childcare providers should be open and transparent about any additional charges prior to a child taking up a place, so parents have a clear choice and know the cost of any extras they may wish to purchase.
Contact
If you have any questions about funded childcare, please contact the Families Information Service: