Working families - 3 and 4 year olds funded childcare

Working parents of some 3 and 4 year old children may be entitled to an additional 15 hours per week (570 hours per year) of funded early education.

This is on top of the universal 15 hours funding per week, totalling 30 hours per week (1140 per year).

How are the funded hours delivered?

You can either take the additional funded hours as:

  • Term time - 15 hours per week over 38 weeks 
  • Stretched - 11.18 hours per week over 51 weeks.

Please ensure you speak to your chosen childcare provider about their models of delivery before taking a funded place.

Who is eligible?

  • Parent’s (whether two-parent family or lone parent) are working and earning a minimum of the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum or Living Wage (includes income received from tax credits or Universal Credit).
  • Parent’s (neither parent if two-parent family) income does not exceed £100,000 per year.
  • One or both parents are on paid leave (parental, maternal etc.)
  • One or both parents are on statutory sick pay.
  • Parents on zero hours contracts and those who are registered as self-employed.
  • One parent is employed, and the other parent has either:
    • substantial caring responsibilities and or a disability

Parents can check if they are eligible at Childcare Choices

How do I apply?

If you feel you are eligible for this scheme you will need to apply direct to the HMRC via your gateway account by the termly cut-off date.  If you have any queries about your application, please call HMRC on 0300 123 4097.

If you are found to be eligible you will be given an 11 digit eligibility code.  You will need to pass this code to your chosen childcare provider to be able to take up your funded place from the next intake.

What if I don’t have a gateway account?

The HMRC link will prompt you to either log into your gateway account or register for an account.  If you have already registered for Tax Free Childcare this is via your gateway account, so you can just log in using your gateway code and password.

If registering for an account you will be provided with a gateway code which you will use to set up your account.  Once your account is set up you can log in with your gateway code and password and apply for the eligibility code.

Please note - your gateway code is not your eligibility code and cannot be used to take up a funded place.

When to apply

When you are applying for the funding with the HMRC, you must do this within the following timeframes.  This will then allow you to take up a funded place from the term stated.   If you apply after these dates, you will have to wait until the following term to take up the additional funded hours.  

  • HMRC Deadline - 31 August 
    Funding can start - Autumn term (September)
  • HMRC Deadline - 31 December
    Funding can start - Spring term (January)
  • HMRC Deadline - 31 March
    Funding can start - Summer term (April)

Please note - it can take up to 15 days from the date of application for HMRC to issue a code.  If you have any difficulty making your application, please call the HMRC helpline on 0300 123 4097.

I am planning to return to work soon, when can I apply for a code?

If you are returning to work after parental leave or starting a new job and you would like to claim the working parent entitlement, you will need to apply direct to the HMRC via Childcare Choices. 

Please note, the date you start or return to work will affect when you can apply for free childcare:

If your return to work day is between:

  • 1 May to 30 September
    • Apply for your code between 1 April* to 31 August
    • Funding starts Autumn term (September)
  • 1 October to 31 January
    • Apply for your code between 1 September* to 31 December
    • Funding starts Spring term (January)
  • 1 February to 30 April
    • Apply for your code between 1 January* to 31 March
    • Funding starts Summer term (April)

*You can apply from the start of the window, however there may be an issue where your code may be in its grace period when you want to claim, and you will not be able to access the entitlement. Please contact us before the term starts if you are in doubt about the dates so we can guide you on what action needs to be taken.

How do I find a childcare provider who offers 30 hours funded childcare?

Choosing a childcare provider is a big step for you and your child and finding the right place can be a hard decision to make.  Our information on choosing a childcarer can advise you on things to consider when making your choice. 

Use the childcare directory to find childcare providers listed with Leicester City Council to deliver the 30 hour funded places.

How much will this cost me?

Your child’s funded hours are free of charge.  However, the funding entitlement does not cover the cost of meals, consumables, or additional services. 

Therefore, you may be charged for the following:

  • Deposits and registration - the childcare provider should provide you with their admissions criteria or policy which should state how they manage applications and have their detailed fees and charges pricing structure.
  • Meals and snacks - if you choose to take this up you would be expected to pay for them.
  • Consumables such as nappies, suncream or wipes but you could ask whether you are able to supply your own.
  • Extra hours - if you choose to take these up you would be expected to pay for them.  This should not be a condition of accessing your funded place.

The provider must be clear and transparent about how you can access the funded place and help you understand, before you accept the place, which hours/ sessions can be taken as funded provision and the amounts of additional charges that may be applicable for different sessions.  If you choose to pay for meals, consumables, or additional services these items should be clearly listed on your invoice, and you are aware of what you are paying for.

If you have any questions, please discuss them directly with your chosen childcare provider who will be able to explain their process to you.

Change in hours or move to another childcare provider during the term.

You need to set a pattern of attendance for your funded hours for the term with the childcare provider on your parental declaration form. Therefore, you and your childcare provider are clear on what is to be claimed on your behalf.

If you wish to move some or all your funded hours to another childcare provider during the term, that is fine. Please check your contract that you agreed with your childcare provider on what notice period you need to give if you would like to terminate the contract.

Your new childcare provider can only claim after the notice period and not before. If the date of the notice period falls after the date the provider needs to submit data to the authority, the new provider will not be able to claim your funded entitlement until the next term. The Local authority checks all claims are not exceeded and if they are, the nursery will not be funded for their claim, meaning you will be liable for the expense.

Parents' duty - Please remember

You will be required by HMRC to re-check your eligibility every 3 months. Therefore, please action the instructions requested by HMRC so your funding can continue.

  • If you are issued with a temporary code by HMRC these are only valid for one term so you must ensure you have a new code from HMRC for the following term.
  • If you already have a 30-hour code, please remember to reconfirm your details when prompted by HMRC to continue to receive funding. Failure to comply will mean you will be liable for the fees at your chosen provider.

If you are the parent and you still have further queries, please contact us by:

email: earlyeducation@leicester.gov.uk 
telephone: 0116 4541680