When can my child start 15 hours Funding?

• Currently, all children in England aged 3- 4 years old are entitled to receive 15 hours free childcare from 1st September, 1st January or 1st April following their third birthday.
  
• This is known as the Universal Entitlement.
  

Eligibility Criteria for "Working Families" 30 hours Funding (additional 15 hours funding)

• You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £167 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 can't get 30 hours childcare if you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 adjusted net income or more.
  
• To keep your additional 15 hours childcare place you need to check your details are up to date every 3 months.
  

Deadlines for 30 hour applications
To ensure that your child can receive the additional 15 hours entitlement, parents must apply and have their codes validated by the Local Authority by the following deadlines:

• 31st March to receive the funding in the Summer
  
• 31st August to receive the funding in the Autumn
  
• 31st December to receive the funding in the Spring
  

30 hours Extended Entitlement Checklist

• Set up an online Government Gateway account
  
• Complete a parent declaration form provided by us with your 11 digit code for each child accessing the additional hours.
  
• Any additional services or hours above entitlement must be agreed for and paid for by you the parent.
  
• Parents need to re-confirm eligibility every 3 months with HMRC.
  
• If you fall out of eligibility, you will enter a grace period which will enable access to the funded place until that grace period ends.
  
• If you are still not eligible after the grace period, then alternative payment for additional 15 hours must be funded by you, the parent.
  
• You can re-apply when you become eligible again and give the code to us.
  
• Entitlement will stop once your child is in Reception or at school age.
  

When to apply for your child's code
You can apply from when your child is:

• 1 year and 36 weeks for 15 hours free childcare
  
• 2 years and 36 weeks for 30 hours free childcare
  

You must have a valid code by the end of the month before a new term starts.

Helpful Links

• Government website
  
• Choosing an Early Years Education in Wandsworth