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Guidance: Childcare for service children

Ministry Of Defence

February 15
16:35 2024

Wraparound childcare

(Known as Out of School care in Wales and School Age Childcare in Scotland.)

Childcare is a concern that has been and continues to be raised on behalf of Service families by the Families Federations and other stakeholders, and the concern has been reflected in recent surveys carried out by the Families Federations and the wider Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS), and the Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FAMCAS).

Feedback fromAFCASandFAMCAShighlighted that a lack of good quality, enriching and appropriate childcare has a significant impact on partner employment, which can influence Service personnels decision whether to stay in or leave the Armed Forces.

In recognition of the issues that some Service families can face when trying to access wraparound childcare and its potential negative impact on retention, the Secretary of State for Defence launched the Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme.

Eligible Service personnel (Tri-Service) can register for up to 20 hours per week, per child, term time only (39 weeks per year) of wraparound childcare funding for 4 to 11 year old children (4 to 16 year old if in receipt of certain disability benefits) attending before and after school childcare in the UK.

Eligibility criteria

  • At least one partner (or single parent) must be serving as an Armed Forces Regular or Full Time Reserve Service (all commitment types).
  • The child for whom the Service person has parental responsibility for must be aged 4 to 11 (4 to 16 year old if in receipt of certain disability benefits), must attend school (including home-educated children) and be living with the Serving person for at least 50% of the time unless separated due to service commitments (deployment, residential courses), or when on serving on unaccompanied assignments overseas with the family remaining in the UK.
  • A Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) account must be set up with HRMC for each child that Service Person wants to claim the funding for.
  • The childcare provider must also be signed up to the TFC scheme and able to accept TFC payments.
  • The Service parent has either an assignment order to a UK based unit or is Serving on an unaccompanied assignment overseas with the family remaining in the UK.

How to claim/payment journey

Service families can check if they are eligible and how to claim WACfunding by visiting the Discover My Benefits website.

Who to contact if you have questions

Contact your unit HR team or admin office for any queries about claims. If you have questions about the policy contact PEOPLE-AFFS-WAC-FRO-mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Further information onWACcan be viewed on the Defence childcare information page on Defence Intranet or on Defence Connect (sign-in required).

United Kingdom (UK)

There are a number of childcare options for parents to choose from. Parents should go to Childcare Choices for further information and guidance on all available government childcare schemes.

England

From September 2017, working parents in England with children aged 3 and 4 years old, are entitled to 30 hours free childcare.

You can also check to see if youre eligible for Tax-Free Childcare (TFC). You can get TFC at the same time as 30 hours free childcare if youre eligible for both.

Scotland

For the current childcare offer in Scotland, parents should visit Parent Club or mygov.scot for information about early learning and childcare (ELC).

Wales

For the current childcare offer in Wales parents should visit the Welsh Government website for further information and guidance.

Northern Ireland

For the current childcare offer in Northern Ireland, parents should contact 38 (Irish) Brigade at RC-AWS-38X-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk for further information and guidance.

Returning from overseas or moving within the UK

30 hours free childcare codes are not valid overseas.

If you are returning from overseas or moving within the UK, please visit the 30 hours free childcare page to find out what is available in your area. The application process and deadlines may vary.

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.

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. You can read 30 hours free childcare 2021DIN01-085 for more information and to apply.

Overseas

In overseas locations, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) provides services (or access to services) that, so far as is reasonably practicable, conform in type, scope and standard to that required by legislation in England.

Parents will have access to the following:

15 and 30 hours free childcare

In MOD nursery settings overseas parents with children aged 3 and 4 years old can access 15 or 30 hours free childcare (depending on eligibility). 30 hours free childcare 2021DIN01-085 applies when registering for the additional entitlement. (DINs are only accessible by MOD personnel.)

Applications should be forwarded to the relevant setting or school for approval and recording.

Overseas Nursery Authority (ONA)

Parents of 3 and 4 year-olds in overseas locations, where MOD schools and settings are not available, can apply for reimbursement of nursery fees by means of ONA

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