Three and four year old early education (30 hours extended entitlement)

Working parents of three and four year olds maybe eligible for 30 hours funded early education (1,140 hours per year) for 38 weeks per year, which can be used flexibly with one or more childcare provider. Some providers may ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, thereby using fewer hours per week

 

A short film about 30 Hours Free Childcare:

The Department for Education spoke to parents in Wigan who have taken up a 30 hours place for their child as part of the early implementer programme, listen to the additional hours have meant for them.

30 Hours Free Childcare Case Studies:

The Department for Education (DfE) is launching a campaign to promote and raise awareness of the benefits that using 30 hours free childcare can have for working families. Chelsea from Telford shares her story of how #30hours childcare helped her find a healthy work/life balance. Hear from Chelsea and other families who have benefited from 30 hours here: http://ow.ly/OcxP50usZPC

Florentina from Brent shares her story of how 30 hours allowed her to increase her working hours while her son Erik, who has special educational needs, received speech and language therapy through his nursery: http://ow.ly/OcxP50usZPC

Debbie and Jamie from Devon share their story of how #30hours free childcare helped them both start working full-time, and increase the no. of days their daughter Ivy attends pre-school: http://ow.ly/OcxP50usZPC

Murugan from Brent shares how #30hours childcare helped with his family’s finances: http://ow.ly/OcxP50usZPC

Letesha from Derby shares her story of how #30hours childcare helped bring her family closer together: http://ow.ly/OcxP50usZPC

Claire from Leeds shares her story of how #30hours childcare helped give her back her "independence": http://ow.ly/OcxP50usZPC

The DFE has also produced a helpful "How-to" animation to support families applying for 30 Hours free childcare. To watch this animation, please see the following link: https://youtu.be/s-38fMXaGSk

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Q.  I have a four year old son can I get money in addition to the free 15 hours early education to help with his childcare costs?

A.  You may be eligible for up to 30 hours free early education if you meet certain criteria (please see detail below)

Q.  Can I get any extra help with childcare costs?

A.  You could be eligible for tax credits, tax free childcare or universal credits (please see detail below)

 

Am I eligible?

Eligibility is based on the following:

  • You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £139 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage)
  • If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible
  • You cannot get 30 hours free childcare if either you or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 or more 
  • If your working pattern and/or income has changed because of coronavirus (COVID-19); before you apply or reconfirm for 30 hours, please read how these changes may affect your eligibility

 

How do I apply?

  • Visit HM Government Childcare Choices website for 11 digit code to take to participating childcare providers
  • Parents need to revalidate eligibility every 3 months
  • Use our  “childcare search”  to find local nurseries, preschools and childminders or call 01908 253338.

The code must be validated the term before the child takes up the place, failure to do this will result in the sessions not being funded.  Parents need to receive the code by:-

31 August                 to access funding from September to December

31 December           to access funding from January to March

31 March                   to access funding from April to August

 

What happens if my circumstances changes?

You will need to revalidate eligibility every 3 months by HMRC. You must log into your HMRC account and renew your eligibility code to enable you to continue to access your extended entitlement.

If you lose eligibility for the extended entitlement:

  • Funding will continue for a “grace period” – this means you are able to keep your childcare for a short period
  • Once the “grace period” has lapsed, you will only be entitled to the universal 15 hour entitlement

 

When can my child start?

Funding is available from the term after your child’s third birthday, see the table below:-

1 January – 31 March                        start summer term on or after 1 April

1 April – 31 August                            start autumn term on or after 1 September

1 September – 31 December         start spring term on or after the 1 January

 

Need further assistance?

 

HM government offer additional help with childcare costs for parents

Tax Free Childcare

  • For working families (with children under 12  or under 17 if disabled), including the self-employed, in the UK
  • For every £8 you pay in, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year

Tax Credits for Childcare

  • For working families, in the UK (with children under 16 or under 17 if disabled)
  • 70% of childcare costs, up to a cap
  • If you are unable to make a new claim for Tax Credits, you may be eligible to apply for Universal Credit instead.

Universal Credit for Childcare

  • For working families (with children under 17) claiming Universal Credit, in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
  • 85% of eligible childcare costs, up to a cap

 

Useful Links and documents:

Early years business sustainability

Childcare and Family Trust - DfE's 30 hour mixed model partnership toolkit 

30 hours free childcare: LA and early years provider guide

Registering school-based childcare provision

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/factsheet-childcare-registering-school-based-provision

Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage

Early Years Entitlements: Operational Guidance (PDF, 3MB)

For further information about how to become a funded provider contact Milton Keynes Council at nursery.education@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Further information is available regarding funding for providers. 

Last Updated: 29 September 2020