Claiming 15 / 30 hour free childcare

The universal 15 nursery grant for 3/4 year olds is payable directly to any early years settings who take part in the scheme. It is not paid to parents.

The 30 hours free childcare scheme for working parents starts in September 2017 nationally, so will include London areas. It is currently available in a small number of test areas only. However it remains to be seen how many settings will offer the 30 hours. The issues in areas like London is that in a number of settings the rate offered will not cover costs as the hours have to be free (but they can charge extras for meals) and the monetary amount cannot just be taken off the bill. It could also reduce the number of places they can offer for funded free 15 hours places for 2 year olds and 3 year olds so this will be a consideration. Some settings currently offering the 15 hours limit places on offer, charge more for hours outside of the funded hours to help balance the books or restrict the hours that the free hours can be used in to quieter days/times. Some settings will choose not participate in either the 15 or 30 hours scheme. Like the 15 hours, funding will be paid directly to the provider.