Nursery

Register for a tax-free childcare account, you can pay the nursery from that and the gov top it up with 20%.
The nursery should deal with the 30 hours funding, you just need to sign something from them.

Info on the below two links about entitlements, when you can claim funding from depending on your work status and child’s age, and how to/where to apply ☺️

https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/apply-for-free-childcare-if-youre-working

https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/childcare-early-years-education/15-and-30-hours-support/working-families//how-to-apply/

You have to apply for the 30 hours funding on the government website (for working parents) Nursery won't just sort it.
You can only use tax free childcare if both parents are working too.

If it's the 15 hours for all 3yo then it's different.

Register with a nursery now/start looking and sign them up so it's ready for when they are 3. Any funding starts the term after they turn that age so depending when they are 3 will impact when they can have it.

A little of topic but how did you manage to keep him at home that long? Feels impossible to me in this economy

Ah I see, grandparents do help a lot, it’s great to have them. I also only work 3 days but there is nobody to help with childcare. I’m glad you have that option, don’t take it for granted!

Yeahh they do and and omg I do so much I know there's no way I could do it without them helping it's so hard these days to juggle it all x