Childcare funding on maternity leave?
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You’ll get the 15 hours funding but not the 30 hours, unless your maternity pay is the equivalent of entitlement. You’re not out of work on maternity leave, it’s like taking holiday pay.
Thank you both for your advice. I get 15 hours currently, and that’s what we’ll carry on doing whilst I’m off. I feel Mum guilt at the thought of sending my toddler in whilst I’m off, but he also loves going there and is thriving there, so I don’t want to take him out and make even more changes. And also don’t want to lose his space! I’m not due until September, but already panic planning ahead x
I sent my eldest while I was on maternity leave with my youngest. I thought of it as there were changes at home for him with getting a new baby brother, so at least staying with a childminder gave him some sense of normality. Same routines on the same days, etc. I was also so stressed out in the first few months having 2 that the days he went to the childminder were a life saver, especially since I breastfed non stop x
Yes this is exactly what I’m thinking! I think the routine and structure will help my toddler and also help me as I plan to breastfeed again and I know how demanding that can be x
@Olivia sorry to jump in on this 😂 can you explain? How do you get the 30 hours for our babies over 2 years old if we are on mat leave with second baby? I thought you could just get it, like i work 24 hours a week so thats over the 16 hours, even on mat leave that still counts doesnt it?x
@Abbie you can’t get 30 hours funding for 2 years until September 2025. You currently need to wait until they’re 3 and apply the academic term after. From September 2025, you can get 30 hours funding for 9 months olds plus as long as you’re working 16 hours a week or the equivalent of 16 hours on minimum wage. If you’re on maternity leave, your maternity pay needs to reflect currently £183.04 per week to obtain 30 hours for a 3 year old or 15 hours for a 2 year old. This figure will change in April with the new tax year. To apply, you use the government website (I think, might be your council website, I’ve only done it once). You’ll input yours and your child’s details and if you qualify you’ll be given a code. This code is then given to your nursery or childminder who will claim the funding. This codes need renewing every 3 months.
@Abbie does that help because I may have got slightly confused at the question 🤦♀️
@Olivia Yeah so we claim the free hours now so I presume its the same for when they get to 2 - we'll apply for the 30 hours. It's the whole - technically im still employed over 16 hours even though id theoretically be on Mat leave. Do they go off the fact your employed or only the money side to it? So do they look at my what would be salary if i was at work or just the maternity pay? Im not pregnant btw just want to know how it would work in future 😂
@Abbie I assume they go off your payslips which are reported to HMRC. But while on maternity leave they’ll go off that pay. I have a 3 year old and obviously a 17 month old. For my 3 year old, once he turned 2, I got the 15 free hours applied through local council. Then once he turned 3, my hours and pay entitled me for the 30 hours applied through the government gateway. For my August baby, he currently gets the 15 hours applied through the government. As long as your pay meets the requirements, you’ll get the funding x
If you’re currently employed then yeah you’re still eligible as you’re technically still employed whilst on maternity leave. Also due my second baby in July x