Childcare - 30 free hours

Hey. I was due to return end of Oct and changed that to 30th Sept so I am eligible for the Sept term BUT I have taken 17 days of my annual leave (accrued this year) to use in October so I return on my original due date…does that make sense? X

I should be back to work in August but decided to stay home for 12 months instead + holiday from previous and this year so I will be back to work only in January 2027.

I go back to work September 😪

You should be eligible for the 30 free hours from the term after they're 9 months old.

You can still apply for the hours whilst on maternity leave and use it if you are still in employment although on mat leave

Has anyone managed to apply for the 11 digit number for their baby without them being 9 months? A lot of the nursery’s I am applying for are asking for it. Also a lot of the nurseries in our area don’t have space till 2027 I am at my wits end

I’m planning on having my official return to work date as 30th September so I can get the free childcare hours and I’ll use holiday to go back to work mid October, which is when I left for mat leave last year.

I gave birth on 19th. I have accrued enough leave to take until January. My son will be going in on a reduced timetable from the beginning of November to get used to it until full time in January when he/I will be eligible for 30 free hours (we would be eligible if I went back in September but I don’t want to).

Have decided to go back to work a month earlier to have free hours from september :(

Key Eligibility Criteria:
Child's Age: 9 months to 4 years old (the 30 hours apply until the child starts reception class).
Employment Status: Both parents must be working (or sole parent in a lone-parent family).
Income Requirement: Each parent must earn at least the national minimum/living wage for 16 hours a week (approx. £9,500/year for those over 21).
Income Limit: Neither parent can have an adjusted net income over £100,000 per year.
Residency: Must be a British/Irish citizen or have settled/pre-settled status.
Exceptions: Parents on maternity, paternity, adoption, or statutory sick leave remain eligible.

Being on maternity leave you would still be Eligible for the 30 hours free funding when little one turn 9 months.