We call on the Government to introduce legislative and operational changes to the administration of 30 hours free childcare entitlement so that eligible parents are not exposed to avoidable financial hardship and emotional distress caused by short reconfirmation windows and unclear wording.

We welcome the 30 hour entitlement for working families. With the UK’s falling birth rate and the Government’s aim to get parents working, procedures must not undermine it. We ask for: • Ability to backdate eligibility codes when parents can prove they were eligible. • Annual reconfirmation, or require parents to notify HMRC when no longer eligible • Clearer eligibility codes with explicit start dates • An accessible online route to request backdating • Let nurseries verify codes at term start.