30 hours extended entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds
In addition to the universal entitlement, working parents of 3 and 4 year olds may also be able to benefit from an additional entitlement of up to 15 hours per week over 38 weeks or a total of 570 hours in each 12 month period from the date the child becomes eligible. This is called the extended entitlement or the 30 hours free childcare.
Together the universal and extended entitlements make a total of 1,140 free hours which eligible 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to in a funded year over a minimum of 38 weeks.
These hours can be stretched over more than 38 weeks which will reduce the number of free hours each week. For example:
- 38 weeks at 30 hours per week
- 45 weeks at 25 hours 20 minutes per week
- 50 weeks at 22 hours and 48 minutes per week
This could help cover school holidays for example.
If your child attends more than one childcare provider it is possible that you will have stretched hours with one provider and standard hours with another, as long as the total hours do not exceed 1,140 hours in your child’s eligible funding year.
Will I qualify for the extended entitlement?
The government has set out the criteria that parents of 3 and 4 year olds must meet in order to be eligible for 30 hours free childcare.
How do I apply for the extended entitlement?
Parents wishing to claim an extended entitlement will make applications directly to HMRC via their website, Childcare Choices.
Childcare providers and the Local Authority cannot assist with this process.
Parents who are unable to access the website or need assistance making an application should contact the HMRC Customer Interaction Centre on 0300 123 4097.
Parents will be issued with an 11 digit eligibility code if they qualify for the 30 hours free childcare and will need to reconfirm their working status every 3 months to remain eligible. HMRC will send parents reminders by email to do this.
Parents who wish to review or appeal unsuccessful applications for the entitlement should contact HMRC directly.
I am eligible - what happens next?
Parents will need to present their 11 digit eligibility code from the online childcare service to their child’s childcare provider. Parents will also need to provide their National Insurance number and child's date of birth. This should be done by completing the Parent Declaration form which you can get from your provider.
The childcare provider will confirm to the parent whether the code is valid and the start date of the funding using an online portal provided by the Local Authority. The parent and the childcare provider will then agree the child’s hours of attendance.
The provider will claim the funding from the Local Authority who will audit the codes 6 times a year to confirm that parent(s) remain eligible for funding.
I am no longer eligible - what happens next?
If your working status should change, for example you are made redundant; your child can continue to have the additional free hours until you are asked to reconfirm your status by HMRC.
If at the time of reconfirming your status you do not qualify for the extended entitlement, there will be a ‘grace period’ which allows for changes to your working status such as starting another job.
The grace period end date will automatically be applied to eligibility codes and will be determined as per the table below.
Date parent receives ineligible decision on reconfirmation | Local Authority audit date | Grace period end date |
|---|---|---|
1 January to 10 February | 11 February | 31 March |
11 February to 31 March | 1 April | 31 August |
1 April to 26 May | 27 May | 31 August |
27 May to 31 August | 1 September | 31 December |
1 September to 21 October | 22 October | 31 December |
22 October to 31 December | 1 January | 31 March |
The Local Authority will inform childcare providers of children who no longer meet the eligibility criteria and their grace periods. Childcare providers will then talk to parents about any changes to attendance patterns and/or payment options.
Please note that the Local Authority cannot assist with any queries regarding eligibility for the extended entitlement. Parents will need to contact HMRC via their Customer Interaction Centre on 0300 123 4097.
Contact information
Early Help Team