New Funding Update
There are changes coming to 2-year-old funding in April 2024.

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Annex A: Ed Hub article for Parents

How to claim 15 hours free childcare including where to get your code

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Applications are now open for eligible working parents of 2-year-olds to receive 15 hours free childcare, starting from April 2024.
 

It's the first step in our promise to expand the 30-hour free childcare scheme for working parents from when their child turns nine months until they start school.
 

We're making the biggest investment by a UK government into childcare in history, doubling the amount we expect to spend over the next few years from around £4 billion to around £8 billion each year.

How do I apply?
 

You need to meet our eligibility criteria before you can claim 15 hours free childcare.

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You apply online here on Gov.uk.

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You'll need to make sure you have the following information to hand before starting the application:

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• your national insurance number (or unique taxpayer reference if you are self-employed) the date you started or are due to start work

• details of any government support or benefits you receive

• the UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) for your child.

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You may find out if you're eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days.

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Once your application has been approved, you'll get a code for free childcare to give to your childcare provider.

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Applications are open from now until 31 March. If you miss the deadline, or don't receive your code by 31 March, you won't be able to start using the new entitlements from 1 April.

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What if I'm already registered for Tax Free Childcare?

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Parents must reconfirm that they are still eligible for Tax-Free Childcare every 3 months.

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As applications are now open for the new free hours entitlement, when eligible parents reconfirm they will receive a code which will also enable them to access the new offer.

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To provide reassurance to parents with reconfirmation windows in late February and March, we're taking additional steps to ensure every parent is able to give their code to their provider in good time.

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If your reconfirmation window opens on or after the 15 February, HMRC will send you a letter with a temporary code before this date.

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The letter will also explain how to use your code to claim your free place in April. Where possible, please wait for your letter to arrive. You don't need to contact HMRC.

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Before your letter arrives, you can speak to your provider and use your eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare to demonstrate your eligibility for the new free hours entitlement, as the eligibility criteria are the same. You can do this by showing your provider:

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• Proof of your Tax-Free Childcare eligibility (this can be a screenshot from your childcare account, or simply showing your account to your provider)

• When your reconfirmation window is (you can get this from your childcare account) Your National Insurance number, and

• Proof of your child's date of birth, for example your child's birth certificate, to show they turn 2 on or before 31 March 2024.

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However, you must wait for your code (either via letter or through your regular childcare account) to formally confirm your free place.