Nursery

I’m in the same boat! We did a stay and play at a pre school and I was a mess 😂 yes I think we get 15 hours free from the January after they turn 3! Not sure when we apply- the government website says to contact the childcare provider or local council to find out more? Our pre school should hopefully be able to take him from as soon as he turns 3 (we’ll pay until the funding comes through) so I think I’ll have a chat to them and hope they can give me some advice!

My lo has started nursery now and we get 15 hrs free. He’s two. I went on gov.uk and completed the forms. You get a code, give that to the nursery.

@Lucy are you working? I’m not sure if I’m eligible as I’m a stay at home mum

My little one gets 15 hours but I’m a stay at home mam she got to start at 2

I think but don't quote me… every 2yearmold gets 15 hours free from Monday(if applied for). Used to be 2year year olds of non working parents/those in receipt of certain benefits but changed as of April 1st. From sept 25 all chn over 9 months. But old system states that 3year old of working parents increases to 30 hours the term after they turn 3 so november babies would be january. This still applies until New system comes in. You apply the term/within 3months before. Somewhere has the exact dates but I can't remember where I'm not sure if I'm Sept 25 none working parents also get 30 hours as that didn't apply to us

@Lucy hi Lucy, did you also get a letter by post advising you of the code?

@Natalie is this only for mums who receive benefits?x

You get 15 hours free from age 2 if you receive certain benefits or if you work over 16 hours a week at the minimum wage (or less hours but earn the equivalent). Everyone gets 15 hours free from the term after they turn 3. https://www.gov.uk/check-eligible-free-childcare-if-youre-working

I’ve done so much research into it, as I work well over 16 hours a week but I actually don’t get paid that much as we work in a boarding school so my “wage” is effectively my home/bills/meals. My husband is the head of boarding so he got a wage top up but legally I’m classed as a volunteer. I have a small self employed partnership and also now do some contractual work but it still isn’t enough to qualify. We have a family home we’re currently renting due to living at school, which does actually push my earnings over the threshold, however income from property doesn’t count even though we get taxed on it🤯 It’s really unfair in that the system doesn’t take different personal circumstances into account.

I've already applied and got our place so then I applied for the 15 free hours and got that n got the code which I need to give to the school