We know that covering the cost of childcare isn’t always easy, but the good news is there are two government programmes that can help support you during your time with us. Did you know that if your little one is 3 years or older you can claim 15 hours FREE childcare per week or better still you could be eligible for 30 hours FREE childcare per week?

Designed to give working families up to 30 hours FREE childcare a week (which is up to 1,140 hours per year), it could help you save thousands of pounds off your childcare costs!

If eligible you can apply for 30 hours FREE childcare up to 16 weeks before your child turns 3, but you won’t be able to start using it until the beginning of the term following your child’s 3rd birthday. Term start dates are: 1st January, 1st April and 1st September. It’s a good idea to apply as soon as possible within these 16 weeks before your child’s 3rd birthday to avoid disappointment but remember…

When you receive your code, it will have an ‘end date’ telling you when you need to apply for the next one.

The clock starts ticking on your code as soon as you receive it, so you’ll need to renew it within three months of that date – NOT the date you start using your free hours – or you’ll miss out on your free hours for the next term!

All sounds a little confusing? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you and make it as easy as possible for you to understand how the scheme works so you can get help with your childcare costs. Visit childcarechoices.gov.uk for more information on the support you could receive or contact a member of our friendly Family Care Team who will be in touch to discuss the options available to you.

Give us a call: 0333 034 3923
Send us an email: familycareteam@justchildcare.co.uk

When to apply:

Term Starting 1st January
Child turns 3 between: 1st September to 31st December
Recommended time to apply: 15th October to 30th November

Term Starting 1st April
Child turns 3 between: 1st January to 31st March
Recommended time to apply: 15th January to 28th October

Term Starting 1st September
Child turns 3 between: 1st April to 31st August
Recommended time to apply: 15th June to 31st July

 

What funded Childcare will I be entitled to following the Spring Budget 2023 Announcement:

In the 2023 Budget the government set out plans to extend the free childcare scheme to the parents of children from the age of 9 months. Currently the timeline for this is as follows:

  • From April 2024, all working parents of 2-year-olds can access 15 hours per week
  • From September 2024, all working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3 years old can access 15 hours per week
  • From September 2025 all working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3 years old can access 30 hours free childcare per week