30 Hours Childcare

Working parents of 3 and 4 year olds in England may be entitled to up to 30 hours of free childcare, for 38 weeks of the year (or fewer hours over more weeks). This is an additional 15 hours of free childcare on top of the 15 hours universal entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds in England.
These hours can be used in many different ways such as 30 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year, or fewer hours per week for more than 38 weeks of the year. Your childcare setting will have more information about what they can provide to you.

Eligibility Criteria
You, and any partner, are working, and each earning at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week – this is £152 if you’re over 23 – but less than £100,000 a year each
You can still apply for 30 hours free childcare if you’re:
• On paid sick leave.
• On paid ordinary or additional maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or getting Maternity Allowance, for another child
• On paid shared parental leave
• On paid annual leave

If you are not currently working
You may still be eligible if your partner is working, and you get Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.
You can apply if you’re starting or re-starting work within the next 31 days.

Your immigration status
To be eligible for 30 hours free childcare, you (or your partner if you have one) must have a National Insurance number and at least one of the following:
• British or Irish citizenship.
• Settled or pre-settled status, or you have applied and you’re waiting for a decision.
• Permission to access public funds - your UK residence card will tell you if you cannot do this.

How do I claim my free place?

When you have received your eligibility code please send or take a copy to your chosen childcare setting.

You will need to complete a Parent Declaration Form, which will be given to you by your chosen childcare setting, this confirms the total number of hours that your child is attending per week.

You will need to provide proof of your child's date of birth to your chosen childcare setting before accessing their free place.

Your child's setting can choose how they offer the free entitlement. Please discuss your requirements with each setting before completing this form to ensure that what they offer meets your needs.

Where can my child take up the free places?

The childcare settings must be registered with Worcestershire County Council to offer free places and include:
• pre-schools 
• day nurseries
• school nurseries
• independent (private) schools
• funded childminders
• wrap around care

If your child attends two registered settings, you must complete a Parent Declaration Form for both settings, which must contain accurate information about the number of hours your child attends at each.

30 Hours Childcare FAQ

Where & When to apply
If you meet the criteria above, you need to apply with Childcare Choices, which is run by HMRC. It is completely managed separately from Worcestershire Children First / Worcestershire County Council, unless your child is fostered, see links for both below. 

When do the additional 15 funded hours start?
Once you have received your Eligibility Code from Childcare Choices, the additional 15 hours can be accessed from the term following your child’s third birthday. Applications must be made to Childcare Choices before the term starts, as follows:

Children who turn three years of age between:Recommended Time to apply:Date application must be made by:Date additional 15 hours can start:
1st April and 31st AugustMid-June – end of July31st August 1st September
1st September and 31st December Mid-October – end of November31st December 1st January
1st January and 31st MarchMid-January – end of February31st March 1st April

The Eligibility Code must be refreshed every three months to remain active. 

What happens if I stop being eligible?
When you stop meeting the eligibility criteria, or do not refresh your Eligibility Code, your child will enter a ‘Grace Period’. At the end of the Grace Period, your child will stop receiving the additional 15 hours but will still be entitled to the universal 15 hours. 
The Grace Periods are as follows:

Date parent receives ineligible decision or date of Code End Date if Code is not refreshed:Grace Period End Date:
1st September – 21st October31st December
22nd October – 31st December 31st March
1st January – 10th February31st March
11th February – 31st March31st August
1st April – 26th May31st August
27th May – 31st August 31st December

Go To Childcare Choices to apply (Opens in New Window)

Privacy Information

30 hours Childcare for fostered children

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