Reminder: The deadline to apply for free childcare is approaching

Eligible working parents planning childcare arrangements for September need to apply for an eligibility code before the deadline on 31st August 2024.   

You can apply for a code to receive:

• Up to 15 hours of childcare per week for your child aged between 9 months old until they turn 3, over 38 weeks of the year.
• Up to 30 hours of childcare per week for your 3 or 4 year old, over 38 weeks of the year. 

Make sure you apply as early as possible and don’t forget to:

• Speak to your childcare provider about their arrangements (you may have to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies or trips).
• Ask your childcare provider to validate your code to confirm your place.
• Reconfirm your code via your Childcare Choices account every three months.

Visit the Childcare Choices website to check your eligibility and watch the video below for a step-by-step guide on how to apply for your code.

The Childcare Choices website brings together all the existing childcare offers in one place, so parents can get the help that fits their family. This could be through Tax-Free Childcare, 30 and 15 Hours Childcare, or Universal Credit Childcare.  

Other things to note about getting your code for September:

1. If you have already applied and received your code before 1st June, you may need to reconfirm your details before you take up a place in September. Log in to your childcare account on gov.uk to check when you need to do so.
2. If you plan to return to work from maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, or adoption leave, or start a new job by the end of September, you can also apply for a childcare code before 31st August, just like everyone else.
3. If you already use 15 hours for your 2 year old and they turn 3, you can reconfirm as normal on your childcare account on gov.uk, and the code will be valid for the 30 hours offer the term after their 3rd birthday.
4. Foster carers can also apply for their foster children, by requesting an application form from fis@wirral.gov.uk. Foster parents must be in paid work outside of their fostering role with an adjusted net income under £100,000. The child’s social worker must approve that it’s in line with the child’s plan to attend an early years provider.  

Full details on eligibility, how to apply for funding and how to find a childcare provider are available on the Wirral Council website.