15h free childcare for 9 months old

I was wondering this too actually, as I have absolutely no idea! Was wondering if we have to apply soon or when it comes into force x

Im going to see a nursery this week so he can start in September when hes 13 months so im hoping they can explain it to me because im baffled x

You have to apply through a Government Gateway Childcare account but applications haven't opened up yet for babies who will be 1 year in September. In fact as I understand it the government have not finalised how things will work for those children...
You have to reapply every three months to confirm eligibility.
It is also likely that even if you are eligible the nursery may not have a funded place available - we have been warned (son is already at nursery two days a week) that he will only be partially funded and we will have to pay £22 a day.
It is very very complicated and all could still change, not least with a general election coming up :(

I contacted a local nursery about this and they said they are accepting the 15hour free childcare in September but they haven't been given much info yet! I've got a viewing next week to look around and find out more info x

If im happy next week, I can fill out an enrolment form x

Also just to add the 15 hours also don’t start until the term after their birthday, so if baby’s birthday is in September then the 15 hours won’t kick in until the the new term in January a lot of people don’t know this and expect it to start straight away x

so if their birthday is in august they will be ok for it to start in September? X

that’s right yes :)
if anyone has any questions feel free to fire away, I’m a deputy manager at a nursery (obviously currently on maternity leave!) x

brilliant thank you! Do you apply through the nursery or separately? And do you know when I would apply? I’m due to go back to work in May so obviously won’t get any funding May - September but it’s all so confusing 🫤 x

You apply online using a government childcare account (recommend this in any case as it essentially means you get 20% off/don't pay tax on the nursery fees) and get given a code that you give to the nursery. You need a new code every few months.

thank you so much … everything is so confusing honestly. I just don’t know how early to apply for it ? Do you just do it on Gov and if it’s accepted then get in touch with a nursery of your choice? Xx

They haven't given a date yet for when applications open for our babies but as soon as it does then apply asap. If you can - as someone else has said it is the term after baby's birthday so applications are staggered.
I would check out nurseries first as not all offer the funded places.

You apply separately online & if you meet the criteria you’ll get given a code that will need to be given to the nursery to be put into a portal there end which allows them to be able to claim the funding. Unfortunately like someone said above, it’s not open for applications yet and not sure when it will be! (We get told this information last minute or find out the same time as you guys 🤦🏻‍♀️!) x

You should apply for a nursery place now and tell them that you plan on using the 15 hours free. Then you apply online for the code. As the code only lasts 3 months it makes sense that you could only apply for the code in the 3 months before September. Just to be clear - apply for nursery now, code nearer the time. Also, really important and not sure if this has already been said - you have to have the code, provide it to the nursery and they need to get it processed and accepted on their end before the term starts. E.g if you apply for your code mid August, it will then take a few weeks to be processed. If you give it to the nursery September 1st, you will have missed the window for funding the autumn term and your child will only be able to start in January with the new term. Please let me know if I haven’t been clear and you have questions…. I’m deputy Headteacher of a primary school that includes a nursery.

I tried to apply but because im on maternity leave and not returning to work in the next 31 days, it wont let me submit. Im guessing ill have to redo it in april 😔

I really can’t thank you all enough ,so kind of you to give me all the information needed,really appreciate it xx

Yes, I had forgotten that part! I will say that once it is up and running it works very efficiently - money goes in to the childcare account immediately and payments to nursery are prompt as well. It's just the initial set-up which is a PITA :)

ah ok, thank you! X

I wasn't aware of this. I went to cab and the gentleman there said its from 2 years old.
I'm confused lol

no he Is not ,only baby has British Citizenship as both of us have settled status xx

up until the recent change it was for 2 year olds and upwards. Just because the government funding is there doesn’t mean that all nurseries will accept though. The funding provided by the government is much less than what nurseries can charge privately and lots of nurseries are struggling to meet costs. Plus the younger the children they take, the higher their costs due to higher staff ratios and other requirements that are needed for younger aged children.

There’s a waiting list, so apply and reserve your spot with the nursery. Closer to the time apply through the gov website for the code and give to nursery as soon as you’ve received it to process everything.
Just for clarity the hours are only for 38 weeks out of 52. So your nursery might give you the option to spread it out and pay a little extra to cover the extra weeks. This is what I’ve done for my daughter who’s 2. And I’ll do the same for my son to start in September

but they only have to be 9 months old to get the 15hrs free funding in September so they don’t have to have had a birthday surely?

they only have to be 9 months in September to qualify, not a year..?

oh yeah so they do!! He will be a year old by then anyway though, so it doesn’t really matter, but you are right

The government have told us this is coming but I think people should be wary about relying on it.
It may not come about at all!
The nursery where my son goes have sent us info from the early years alliance.
https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/news/2024/01/parents-set-disappointment-applications-new-early-entitlement-offer-open-alliance-warns