Directorate Children & Young People (DCYP) has worked closely with Department for Education (DfE) and HM Revenue & Customs to ensure parents (Service and entitled MOD Civilians) returning to England from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and overseas can apply for a 30 hours childcare code before they arrive back in England.
This will ensure that entitlements aren't missed, especially when parents move mid-term and would not be able to apply within termly deadlines set by DfE.
Moving to England
Parents are unable to apply for 30 hours free childcare online whilst posted outside of England. To allow parents to not lose out on this entitlement, a manual process has been put in place to ensure parents can access the 30 hours code. This enables parents to plan for their return.
Parents who are due to return to England, after a term deadline, but are aware of this move prior to a term deadline, can apply for a manual 30 hours code for their return. Parents must call the Childcare Service helpline on 0300 123 4097 and request a manual application. Information on term deadlines and when to apply can be found below.
HMRC will determine eligibility for the scheme by completing a manual application at the time of the call. If all eligibility criteria are met, the parent will need to provide HMRC with evidence of returning to England. This evidence will be in the form of an assignment order or civilian posting notice. When this document is received and verified by HMRC, the parent will be issued with a manual 30 hours code to the email address supplied when completing the application. HMRC will provide details of where to send documents at time of application.
The 30 hours code can be given to the childcare provider prior to, or, upon their return to England. Parents can apply for a 30 hours code from when their child is aged 2 years and 36 weeks. Children qualify from the term following their third birthday.
Full details are available in the DIN (internal users only).