Funded hours from September

I'm in the same boat about 31 days before you're due to start the application will be submitted and you should get a code soon you're meant to receive a letter in the post a couple weeks from now c

You need to ask for a temp code! Just say you’re on mat leave and they will send you a temp one and then get an new code before you go back to work, that way you can sign baby up for the free hours etc x

I think you have to end maternity leave before 31st August to claim funded hours from September otherwise you can’t claim until the following term. My mat leave ends 5th August; as I’m on annual leave from 6th that counts as returning to work and I’ve been able to apply for hours from September (only applied last week so within 31 days of mat leave ending).

You can’t apply till 27th August it has to be within a month of your return to work date. If you do the application now it will be “on hold” but you will get a letter which will have a phone number on it to get your temp code if you need it beforehand

@Philippa you have to be back by the 30th September. I rang them and they emailed me over a temporary code which the nursery will use until I reconfirm in November I think (I’ve just reconfirmed for my other child so the next time is November)

Is this England or Scotland for the funded hours ?

I applied online as I return to work before 30th September and my application said pending. I received a letter a few weeks later which said I needed to call them. So I did and I basically confirmed everything with them again and they gave me a temporary code over the phone (and emailed it). They said you have to wait until 31 days before you return to work to set up the tax free childcare account, but at least they can give you the code for your nursery so they can confirm your fees etc.