Parents could be eligible for free childcare

Derbyshire County Council is reminding parents that they may be able to access up to 30 hours of free childcare each week.

All three and four-year-old children in the county are entitled to 15 hours of free early education a week, however some working parents are now eligible to receive 30 hours following changes made by Government last year.

Use the link below to check your eligibility, get a code and apply for free childcare.

Parents who want to take up the additional childcare from the new term in September must apply now before the 31 August 2018 deadline.

Those who are already benefiting from the additional free childcare are also reminded they need to update their details every three months before the start of every new term to make sure they still qualify.

Councillor Alex Dale, Cabinet Member for Young People said:

“We know that summer holidays can be a particularly busy time looking after children so we’re urging parents not to wait until the deadline but to check now to see if they qualify for extra free childcare.

“The extra funding is worth around £2,500 to families which will enable parents to work more hours if they want to while giving their children the chance to socialise and learn.

“There are only three weeks left until the August 31 deadline and it’s a good idea not to leave it to the last minute to apply so applications can be processed and details checked.”

To be eligible for up to 30 hours of funded childcare families must meet the following criteria;

• both parents must be working (or the sole parent in a single parent family)
• each parent must earn on average at least £125 a week – equal to 16 hours at national minimum or living wage, including those on zero hours contracts. This earnings limit does not apply with self-employed parents who started their business less than 12 months ago
• each parent does not earn more than £100,000 a year

Applicants just need their National Insurance number or Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) if they’re self-employed.

Families may still qualify where one or both parents are on maternity, paternity, adoption leave or statutory sick pay or if one is working but the other is unable to work because they are disabled or have caring responsibilities and receive Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance.

Derbyshire County Council is continuing to work with schools, nurseries, pre-schools and childminders to encourage them to offer the extra hours flexibly to meet the needs of working parents in Derbyshire. Funded childcare is available at participating:

• full day care providers (e.g. nurseries)
• schools with nursery provision
• childminders
• sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
• children’s centres
• before and after-school provision

The extra hours are Government funded and eligibility is assessed by HMRC. Even if parents don’t qualify for the extra hours they will still be entitled to the universal 15 hours of free early education.

Families can also check if they qualify for 30 hours free childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit, tax credits, childcare vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare.

Click here to check your eligibility, get a code and apply for free childcare.