TODAY is the final day for parents to claim new free childcare hours in time for the next school term.
The allowance saves families thousands every year but is subject to strict cut-off dates.
The Department for Education has confirmed that anyone looking to apply for free childcare has to do so by the end of the month before the school term begins.
So, if you want your childcare covered from September, when most schools kick off the academic year, you will need to submit your requests by the end of today.
This is due to the fact that it can take up to a week for eligibility to be confirmed.
Parents returning to work between May 1 and September 30 also need to work to the same deadline.
The number of hours you can have covered depends on the age of your child at the time of application.
Children aged between nine months and two years old can qualify for 15 hours per week free.
This is doubled to 30 hours for little ones aged three to four.
For reference, according to the Family and Childcare Trust, the average cost of 15 hours of nursery childcare for under-twos works out at £178.
Based on a 39-week academic year, that amounts to a saving of £6,942 per child per year.
You can apply for free childcare if you are in work or in receipt of a particular set of benefits.
If you’re working, you have to meet earnings thresholds across a three-month period, which vary based on your age.
The thresholds are:
If either you or your partner earns over £100,000 a year, you do not qualify for the majority of the scheme, but you can claim a reduced 15 hours for children aged three to four.
You must include your partner on any claim if they live with you, even if you are not married or in a civil partnership.
And if you are separated or divorced, only one parent can make the claim.
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In the event that you are unable to decide who should receive the free hours, you both apply to HMRC and the service will decide for you.
However, these thresholds do not apply if you are self-employed and set up your business within the past 12 months.
If you are not working, you can still qualify as a recipient of these benefits:
To apply, all you need is your National Insurance number (or your Unique Tax Reference number if you are self-employed) and the the UK birth certificate reference number for the children your application is based on.
The Government estimates that the application should take around 20 minutes.
Once it is complete, allow up to seven working days to find out if you’re eligible.
If your application is approved, you will be a sent a code to claim the free hours which you can send to your childcare provider.
