Children: Day Care

Department for Education written question – answered at on 20 October 2017.

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Photo of Tracy Brabin Tracy Brabin Shadow Minister (Education)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether there is a deadline on using childcare eligibility codes issued by HM Revenue and Customs to secure 30 hours of free childcare from childcare providers.

Photo of Robert Goodwill Robert Goodwill Minister of State (Education)

A parent can claim 30 hours the term following the child’s third birthday and the term following receipt of their eligibility code from HMRC (whichever is later). This is set out in the Department’s early years entitlements: operational guidance to support local authorities and childcare providers, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/30-hours-free-childcare-la-and-early-years-provider-guide.

The eligibility code will, in the majority of cases, have a three month validity period from the date of a parent’s successful determination from HMRC. Every three months parents will need to reconfirm that the details they entered on their application are still accurate to check that they are still eligible. If the parent is still eligible at reconfirmation, their validity period will extend by a further three months. This is a relatively simple process compared to initial application.

A parent is able to retain their childcare place for a short period if they become ineligible for 30 hours, known as the grace period. The grace period is intended to minimise disruption for the child, enable parents to make alternative arrangements as a result of a loss of eligibility and to allow providers and local authorities greater time to manage their places.

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