The 3 and 4 year old funded hours rate is £6.27.
3 and 4 year old eligibility criteria:
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours a week free early learning childcare over 38 weeks of the year from the term following their third birthday. This is known as the universal entitlement.
30 hours entitlement
This is where an additional 15 hours funding per week is added to the universal entitlement for eligible 3 and 4 year olds with working parents.
Eligibility for the additional hours is determined by HMRC and if the criteria are met, parents will be entitled to 30 hours funded childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year.
This additional 15 hours is known as the extended entitlement to support working parents.
Eligibility criteria for 30 hours entitlement
- If your child is aged 3 or 4 years old and is receiving the universal entitlement of 15 hours with an Ofsted registered provider. Not all childcare providers offer the 30 hours.
- Where all parents (whether two-parent family or lone parent) are working and earning the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage (includes income received from tax credits or Universal Credit).
- Neither parent’s income exceeds £100,000.
Or:
- One or both parents are temporarily away from the workplace on parental, maternity or paternity leave.
- One or both parents are temporarily away from the workplace on adoption leave.
- One or both parents are temporarily away from the workplace on statutory sick pay.
- One parent is employed, and the other parent has substantial caring responsibilities based on specific benefits
- One parent is employed, and the other parent has a disability or is incapacitated based on specific benefits
- Parents on zero-hours contracts will be eligible, as are those who are registered as self-employed
30 hours funded childcare for foster parents
30 hours has recently been extended to children in foster care where the foster parent meet the eligibility criteria thus, giving foster families the same support as other families.
Criteria for foster parents
- Accessing the extended hours is consistent with the child’s care plan.
- In single parent foster families, the foster parent engages in paid work outside their role as a foster parent.
- In two parent foster families, both partners engage in paid work outside their role as a foster parent. If one partner is not a foster parent, then they must be in qualifying paid work and earn a minimum of the equivalent to 16 hours at national minimum/national living wage.
Checking eligibility
Interested foster parents (FP) must speak with their social worker who will ask questions to ensure that the additional hours to be taken are in the child’s best interest.
Further information
When a child attends more than one provider
The parent can choose up to two providers in Lambeth.
The parents can use as many hours as they desire, they do not have to use all of the additional 15 hours.
Flexibility and the extended entitlement
The extended entitlement can be used in the same way as the universal entitlement and can be used flexibly over the year.
It can be delivered over 38 weeks of the year, or over more than 38 weeks of the year; outside of school terms; or at weekends.
Apply for the 30 hours entitlement
Eligibility for the extended funded hours is determined by HMRC. HMRC have developed an online form which can be completed at home or at any children's centre.
Apply for the 30 hours entitlement
If they are eligible, the parent will be given an eligibility code (11 digit starting with 500, 11 or 400) to take to the childcare provider.
When to apply and start 30 hours
Parents can apply from when your child is 2 years and 36 weeks old.
|
When a child turns 3 years old |
Start date of the 30 hours funding |
Recommended time to apply |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Sept to 31 Dec |
1 January |
15 Oct to 30 Nov |
|
1 Jan to 31 Mar |
1 April |
15 Jan to 28 Feb |
|
1 Apr to 31 Aug |
1 September |
15 June to 31 July |
Re-confirmation is needed every three months online to remain eligible.
Where to use extended entitlement
At any registered Ofsted provider who can offer the extended entitlement e.g., a Childminder or a nursery