From September 2017 the government has committed to increasing the free childcare offer from 15 hours to 30 hours a week for families that are eligible.  Currently all families are entitled to 15 hours free child care for 15 hours per week for their 3 and 4 year olds.  The purpose of the increased childcare is to support working parents with childcare costs.

Eligibility for the 30 hours extended entitlement

Initially children must be 3 or 4 years old by 31st August 2017 and subsequently children will be eligible the term after their 3rd birthday.   The additional hours will be available to families where:

  • Both parents are working (or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family); 'Both parents are working' includes circumstances where;
    • One or both parents are temporarily away from the workplace on parental, adoption, maternity or paternity leave;
    • One or both parents are temporarily away from the workplace on statutory sick pay;
    • One parent is employed and one parent has substantial caring responsibilities based on specific benefits received for caring; or
    • One parent is employed and one parent is disabled or incapacitated based on receipt of specific benefits.
  • Each parent has a weekly minimum income equivalent to 16 hours at national minimum wage or living wage; (parents do not necessarily need to actually work 16 hours a week, but rather their earnings must reflect at least 16 hours of work at national minimum wage or national living wage, which is £107 a week at the current national minimum wage rate)
  • Neither parent has an income of more than £100,000 per year.
  • Parents must live in England
  • If unemployed, both parents must become employed within 14 days of applying unless one of the above applies
  • Once your child is attending school, they are no longer eligible for free childcare including this offer

If you are a sole parent then all the conditions above just apply to you.

Circumstances where you may still be eligible

You can still apply for 30 hours free childcare if you or your partner are:

  • temporarily away from England for a period of up to 6 months, such as if you're in the military (on duty)
  • already getting Universal Credit or tax credits

You can also still apply for 30 hours free childcare if either you or your partner are employed or self-employed and one of you gets one or more of the following benefits:

  • contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
  • Carer's Allowance
  • Incapacity Benefit or long-term Incapacity Benefit
  • Severe Disablement Allowance
  • National Insurance credits because of incapacity or limited capability for work
  • You have been assessed as having limited capability for work for Universal Credit purpose

What types of childcare you can use?

This entitlement can only be used with registered childcare providers registered to access Northamptonshire County Council early education funding. This includes:

  • Childminder
  • Pre-Schools, Play Groups and Nurseries
  • Out Of School Clubs

This includes early education and childcare provision run by schools.
It is possible to use funding at more than one childcare provider, for example;

  • a nursery and a childminder
  • two nurseries/pre-schools
  • a pre-school and an after-school club

You can check whether you could be eligible for a range of government childcare offers, including 30 hours, via Childcare Choices at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk or the Childcare Calculator at: https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator

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