30 hours for working parents

In order to be eligible for the funding from January you’ll have to have returned to work officially on or before the 31st December. This is when you have to have applied for the 30 hour code by.

Could you possibly move your official start date with work to a little bit earlier and then go back slightly earlier in February?

My official start date back at work was February 2026 but I didn’t go back until like the 22nd April so I was able to access the funding because I could apply by 31st March. Xxx

To apply you have to be returning to work within 30 days. Taking annual leave isn't factored in so you could apply in December for funding to start January I believe.

I was told that this counts as having returned but taking leave so are back working as such . I had to call them this morning as my little girl starts tomorrow and her funding doesn’t kick in till January so I had some questions . They were really helpful xxx

If you're on annual it counts. My ML ended 4th Aug, but had AL til 16th September. My LO was 10 months 4th September, he started 1st week of September. Don't forget tax free childcare too, you set up account and get %off the government. It gets added directly to the account once in input money x

Yes if you are taking annual leave and being paid