Ministry Of Defence
Wraparound childcare
(Known as Out of School care in Wales and School Aged 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 affordable 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 has launched The Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme. The launch comes after a series of successful pilots, where the scheme supported Service families by funding wraparound childcare during term time for eligible Service children aged 4 to 11 years old (up to capped rates).
From Autumn 2022, eligible Service personnel (Tri-Service) can apply for up to 20 hours per week, term time only (39 weeks per year) of wraparound childcare funding for 4- to 11-year-old children attending before and after school clubs in the UK.
Eligibility criteria
- At least one partner (or single parent) must be serving as an Armed Forces Regular (including Full Time Reserve Service Full Commitment).
- Dependent children aged 4 to 11 must attend school (including home schooled children) and be living with the Serving person for the majority of the time unless separated due to service commitments (deployment, residential courses), or when on serving on unaccompanied assignments overseas involuntarily with the family in the UK. Adopted children, children of long-term relationships and domestic partner children, where they meet the eligibility criteria, are eligible. Where the child is normally resident elsewhere for example with another natural parent or relative, the Service person will be unable to claim WAC funding. Foster children are not eligible, as WAC eligibility is based on Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) criteria set by HMRC, part of the eligibility criteria for TFC is that the parent has responsibility for the child. Fostered children are looked after children and the Local Authority (LA) is responsible for them. The way the LA delivers its responsibility is by employing foster carers, but the LA remains responsible for the child.
- The partner of the Service person must be in paid employment, starting or restarting work within the next 31 days (earning the equivalent of 16 hours at national minimum / living wage). Both partners must each have an adjusted net income of 100,000 or less per annum.
- The WACprovider must be Ofsted, or equivalent, registered, including schools and childminders.
- A Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) account must be set up with HRMC for each child that Service Personnel wants to claim the funding for.
- The childcare provider must also be signed up to the TFC scheme.
- The Service parent has either an assignment order to a UK based unit or is serving on an unaccompanied assignment overseas involuntarily with the family residing 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-WAS-FRO-mailbox@mod.gov.uk.
Further information onWACcan be viewed on the Defence childcare portal 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 t