15 hours free childcare application deadlines

Backlit5584 · 2 January at 12:53PM

My sister has a nearly one year old baby and her maternity leave is coming to an end. She will be returning to work 35 hours per week. She received a letter about applying for 15 hours free childcare.

The letter had various dates on it and, as her maternity leave ends before 31 Jan said she could apply for the term starting January. It then said "please call us before the below date to receive your code in time" which was 31 December.

She called today 2nd January and has been told she now cannot receive funding for the term starting January at all. She can apply for the term starting April.

While she fully accepts she has missed the date to call, the letter didn't make that sound like it was serious - more of a practical issue that a code may be received late - so calling today seemed very similar to calling on Tuesday and it wasn't prioritised.

I wanted to check that the information she has been given is correct, whether if she finds the right person they do actually have some discretion to help and if there's anything else that can be done.

The error is going to cost them around £1600. Any advice or ideas appreciated.