Early Years Education
Two Year Old Funded Childcare
If you're the parent or carer of a two year old your child might be eligible to apply for a free early education place, depending on your family circumstances or which benefits or tax credits your family receives.
Early years and childcare for 2 year olds
Three & Four Year Old Funded Childcare
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of funded early years education and childcare (when used during term time only).
Eligible 3 and 4 year olds can claim an additional 15 hours bringing their entitlement up to 30 hours when used during term time.
For 3 and 4 year olds – universal entitlement
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early years education and childcare, this is sometimes known as the ‘universal entitlement'.
These funded places can start the term after child's 3rd birthday.
A child born between
1 January and 31 March can start their funding from the April term after their 3rd birthday.
1 April and 31 August from the September term after their 3rd birthday.
1 September and 31 December from the January term after their 3rd birthday.
Please speak to your childcare provider for more information, they will give you a parental declaration form to complete. The childcare provider will then use this to claim the funding on your behalf.
For 3 and 4 year olds – extended entitlement
If you are a working family you may be entitled to an extra 15 hours of free early education and childcare for your 3 or 4 year old children. This is known as 30 hours funding or the extended entitlement.
You (and your partner if you have one) need to be earning the equivalent of 16 hours a week at national minimum wage. You (and your partner) must not earn individually more than £100,000 per year.
The funding is available from the term after the child's 3rd birthday. You must make sure you apply in plenty of time.
If your child was born between
1 January and 31 March you must apply for 30 hours before 31 March . We recommend applying by the end of February.
1 April and 31 August you must apply before 31 August. We recommend applying by the end of July.
1 September and 31 December you must apply before 31 December. We recommend applying by the end of November.
For more information and to apply for your child's 30 hours funding code please visit Childcare Choices
If you're the parent or carer of a three or four year old and have a valid 30 hour code, you can use this page to apply for a funded early education place with a childcare provider.
Once you have checked your eligibility and would like to contact a provider, you will need to enter your child's details before you go to the provider search tab.
Early years and childcare for 3 and 4 year olds
Eligible 3 and 4 year olds can claim an additional 15 hours bringing their entitlement up to 30 hours when used during term time.
For 3 and 4 year olds – universal entitlement
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early years education and childcare, this is sometimes known as the ‘universal entitlement'.
These funded places can start the term after child's 3rd birthday.
A child born between
1 January and 31 March can start their funding from the April term after their 3rd birthday.
1 April and 31 August from the September term after their 3rd birthday.
1 September and 31 December from the January term after their 3rd birthday.
Please speak to your childcare provider for more information, they will give you a parental declaration form to complete. The childcare provider will then use this to claim the funding on your behalf.
For 3 and 4 year olds – extended entitlement
If you are a working family you may be entitled to an extra 15 hours of free early education and childcare for your 3 or 4 year old children. This is known as 30 hours funding or the extended entitlement.
You (and your partner if you have one) need to be earning the equivalent of 16 hours a week at national minimum wage. You (and your partner) must not earn individually more than £100,000 per year.
The funding is available from the term after the child's 3rd birthday. You must make sure you apply in plenty of time.
If your child was born between
1 January and 31 March you must apply for 30 hours before 31 March . We recommend applying by the end of February.
1 April and 31 August you must apply before 31 August. We recommend applying by the end of July.
1 September and 31 December you must apply before 31 December. We recommend applying by the end of November.
For more information and to apply for your child's 30 hours funding code please visit Childcare Choices
If you're the parent or carer of a three or four year old and have a valid 30 hour code, you can use this page to apply for a funded early education place with a childcare provider.
Once you have checked your eligibility and would like to contact a provider, you will need to enter your child's details before you go to the provider search tab.