Funded childcare
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I have a place for my son in September! He'll only go for the funded hours. Does anyone know how I can apply/get a code please?
I don’t think it’s open yet, I believe they said it may be later this month but could be pushed back till June
How do I get a place in a nursery please? X
I think the applications can be from 12th may but there’s no rush to do it right away. Getting the nursery place is likely to be tricker than getting the code.
@Sara you’d need to contact your local nurseries and enquire about their availability and waitlists etc. Most will ask for a small deposit to put their name down
Oh right! Hope I’ve not left it too late. I’ve only just been told about the new changes on the funding x
Still very confusing if we all get the 2 year old funding or just some people!
Oh thank you I will start looking for more places and then apply for the code later on, Thank you
@Sara will probably depend on area, we have around 12-18 month waitlists on average here. LO started nursery last September but I had them booked in August 2022 and only got a place due to a cancellation even though it was a year in advance. I believe most are eligible as long as you’re working and earn under 100k (may have the salary threshold wrong but believe it’s around that)
@Sara as long as both parents are working and each separately earning below £100,000 a year then you’ll be eligible for 15 free hours come September. If one parent is not working, the only way they’ll be eligible is if they’re on parental leave OR have a limiting disability which makes them exempt, which will need to be proved when applying. Applications open on 12th May, though I’d recommend leaving it until end of May/beginning of June to apply at earliest as you have to reconfirm your code every 3 months and means you won’t have to send a new code prior to them starting. I’d recommend everyone looking at the following website as this gives you all the info (and is what we as nurseries are signposting parents to!)🤎 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/how-apply-help-childcare-working-parents
You get 15 free hrs from September for children 9+ months if both parents are working. I would apply for a nursery now and ask to start in September. Definitely start looking, though, as they will all be getting busy. You can apply for any nursery. I would just confirm that they will be accepting the 15 free hours as not all do. You can apply for the 15 free hours from June through the Gov website. But be aware you don't get 15 hours completely free. On average, it works out, you get 11 free and pay for 4 (not always the case, but just be aware you will have to pay for something). This is so the nursery doesn't lose out too much. X
https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working
You would need to find a nursery before using the funding. Most where I am are at least 12-18 month wait lists for places so if you’ve not already got your name down you may struggle for September. We’re currently paying the full rate and then if/when the funding comes in from September it will be applied for and deducted from our bill. You wouldn’t need the code before registering or putting your name down at a nursery though. Hope that makes sense.