Petition · Department for Work and Pensions
Simplify the process for parents to claim entitlement to 30 Hour Free Childcare
Closed
45 signatures
What the petition asks
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.
• 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.
Timeline
| 20 Jan 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 20 Jul 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
45
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
20 Jan 2026
Closed
20 Jul 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 20 Aug 2026.