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30 hours free childcare

Many working parents of three and four year olds in Oldham will be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week. The extended entitlement is intended to support working parents with the cost of childcare and enable parents, where they wish, to return to work or to work additional hours.

The entitlement amounts to 1140 hours over a year. It can be used up to 30 hours a week during term time (38 weeks) or for fewer hours per week spread over more weeks of the year.

It can be taken in the same variety of settings as the existing 15 hours free entitlement for three and four year-olds: day nurseries, nursery classes in schools, childminders, playgroups and pre-schools.

Childcare providers must be listed in Oldham Council’s Directory of Approved Providers. The hours can be split over more than one childcare provider.

The 30 hours free childcare offer is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 30 hours place, and must be offered alternative options.

Tax-Free Childcare

Tax-Free Childcare is a government scheme to support working parents with childcare costs. Parents set up an online childcare account which they can use to pay you the childcare provider directly.

For every £8 the parent pays in, the government will pay in an extra £2.

The parent can get up to £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 for disabled children.

Parents can use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for:

  • Registered childminders, nurseries and nannies
  • Registered after-school clubs and play schemes
  • Home care workers working for a registered home care agency

To find out more information and to support parents with tax free childcare, please refer to the provider guide.

The Department for Education (DfE)

DfE published Operational Guidance on early years entitlements for local authorities and providers. The document covers the following:

  • the application process for the 30 hours extended entitlement
  • a provider guide to checking validity of 30 hours eligibility codes
  • what needs to be done when a parent loses eligibility and further information about grace periods
  • further information on tax-free childcare
  • examples of partnership delivery models to demonstrate how providers from different sectors – schools, play groups, childminders, out of school clubs, and private nurseries – are working together for the benefit of all to deliver a flexible model for working parents
  • charging models
  • case studies for working with children with Special educational needs and disabilities
  • information about the School Census and Early Years Census.

30 hours free childcare: LA and early years provider guide - GOV.UK

DfE - Will I qualify for 30 hours free childcare?

Information for provider's: