Nursery 15hrs free

Also I got a letter in February saying that “Your 2yr old is eligible for 15 funded hour” which they accepted and that’s why he had an induction last week.

There is forms to fill in and you have to apply before April to get the funded hours. They arnt just automatically given

@KatieKay Which forms do you fill in and how do you apply? Last year in october/november he was attending a different nursery (sure start) and I didn’t have a code or letter, they just checked if he’s eligible online which he was. Also does their start date depend on their birthdate ?

The funding starts from the term after they’re 3. So because he was 3 on the 2nd of April it won’t start until September. We had this issue even though our daughter was 3 before the term started in April, cut off is 1st of the month apparently!

It’s also the term after they turn 3 so for April babies it is September 2025 they are eligible for the universal 15 hours and you need to apply for a code through https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/apply-for-free-childcare-if-youre-working

So if he was already attending in January would it have made a difference ? Because in January after his induction they said he’s not eligible, even though in October/Nov he was going to a sure start nursery and then also I received an eligibility letter in February!

No it wouldn’t have made a difference as it’s from the term after they’re 3. Even if he was 3 on the 1st at 00:01 he wouldn’t have been in the catch.

@Hannah So even if he was attending nursery in january he would have to stop attending in April because of the eligibility criteria? Is that correct?

My little boy is 3 at the weekend & he will be starting pre-school in September. Do we have to apply for the 15 hours free or will he automatically get them?

I think it’s because he’ll be eligible from september. It starts the term after they turn 3. I was eligible for the 15 hours from my LG turnt 2, but because she turned 2 on the 6th April last year, she had to start the following term, so she started in september. The 15 hours for 3 year olds work the same x

I think the funding will start from September if I’m correct. I had the same issue when my little girl turned 2 in April last year her 2year funding didn’t start till September so I expect it’s the same this time round now she’s 3 it won’t start till September x

@Tayler okay that makes sense. Thank you. Do I need to apply for september from now?

I had to get a code to provide to her nursery through the gov website then I think it takes you to your local council website, this proves your eligibility so the nursery is able to claim for the funding. You can get the code from now, then the nursery will most likely ask for it when it comes to applying for september intakes ect. Thats what happened for me prior to her starting last year, more than likely it’ll be the same again, but double check as i’m not sure if it works different for the universal funding at 3.

@Hannah my daughter was 3 on April 13th and she is now eligible and receiving 30 hours free for this term.

@Rhianwen Maybe 30hours is different because I’m asking about the 15hours

I applied on gov site, put all details and birth certificate. She receives it the term after turning 3. She turned 3 in the Easter break and now summer term is a new term so receives it. Not sure? May be worth applying for early entitlement too as we've been able to top up hours by another 10 hrs a week.

@Rhianwen that’s strange! My daughter was 3 on the 19th April and isn’t eligible until Sept!

Might it depend on which part of the country you're in? We're in North Wales

Do you have an immigration restrictions ? If yes then he wouldn’t be entitled till September

@Ema No I don’t

The 30 hours are for working parents. 15 is for everyone.

You have to apply through the go site and the nursery/childminder has to have you on their books before a certain date, otherwise you forfeit the next terms worth of funding, plus he won’t get them until September anyway x