Children: Day Care

(asked on 18th May 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that women in receipt of reduced support under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme due to periods of maternity leave in the previous three tax years are not denied entitlement to 30 hours free child care as a result of falling below the income threshold for that entitlement.


Answered by
Vicky Ford Portrait
Vicky Ford
This question was answered on 2nd June 2020

Individuals who are in receipt of maternity benefits remain eligible for the 30 hours free childcare entitlement.

Those who are currently receiving statutory maternity pay and are intending to return to work, should apply for a 30 hours place in the usual way.

If an individual’s return to work date is delayed, or their hours affected solely due to the COVID-19 outbreak, they will remain eligible for 30 hours if their loss of income is directly due to the outbreak. For example, if they have been furloughed or are accessing the self-employment income support scheme.

The government’s guidance about Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare during the COVID-19 outbreak is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-get-tax-free-childcare-and-30-hours-free-childcare-during-coronavirus-covid-19.


Reticulating Splines