Funding

If your child is 3 or 4 they can access a funded early education place from the start of the school term after their 3rd birthday and until they reach statutory school age or start school reception class.

Universal entitlement - 15 hours


All children are eligible for the 'Universal 15 Hours Entitlement' from the term following their 3rd birthday.

 The Universal entitlement is for 570 hours per year, over a minimum of 38 weeks of the year (a maximum of 15 hours per week).

This entitlement can be stretched over more than 38 weeks and up to 52 weeks by taking fewer hours over more weeks. Please refer to your Early Years Provider for information on how they offer the funded entitlements.


Extended entitlement - 30 hours


By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to up to 30 hours of childcare support. The changes are being introduced gradually to make sure that providers can meet the needs of more families. This means that:

·      From April 2024, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds may be able to access up to 15 hours of childcare support. (At this setting, you can receive up to a maximum of 11.4 hours per week. All funding is stretched over 50 weeks.

·      From September 2024, up to 15 hours of childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children from the age of 9 months to 3-year-olds.

·       From September 2025, eligible working parents of children under the age of 5 may be entitled to up to 30 hours of childcare a week. (At this setting, you can receive up to a maximum of 22.8 hours per week. All funding is stretched over 50 weeks.

·       The Local Authority sets the free hourly rate separately for the following age groups. This rate will decrease as your child moves age group.

Ø  9 months to 2 Years

Ø  2 years to 3 years

Ø 3 years to 4 years.




You can get a funded childcare place for up to 30 hours per week for 38 weeks per year if you meet the following criteria:


  • You are a working family and earn the equivalent of 16 hours per week paid at the national living wage.
  • You earn less than £100,000 per year.
  •   The term following your child’s 3rd birthday or the term following receipt of a valid 30 hour code, whichever is the earlier.


How to apply:


  • Apply online at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk the term before you want the place to start.
  • If you are successful, HMRC will issue you with a 30 hours eligibility code through your secure account which you must give to your childcare provider.
  • Your childcare provider will check that your code is valid. You can then reserve a 30 hours place for the following term.
  • The code must have a validity start date on or before the last day of the previous term:

             - Autumn term: a validity start date on or before 31st August

             -Spring term: a validity start date on or before 31st December

             -Summer term: a validity start date on or before 31st March

  • You need to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months by logging into your secure account. You will be reminded by HMRC 4 weeks before the deadline



For further information and to apply for a 30 hour code, please go to: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk


For more information download our document:

3 & 4 Year Olds EY Funding Leaflet More Information

Free education and childcare for 2 year olds

Your 2-year-old can get free childcare if you live in England and get one of the following benefits:


  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
  • child tax credits, and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
  • the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)


2 year-olds can also get free childcare if they:



You may have to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies or trips.

Contact your childcare provider or local council to find out more.


If you’re a non-EEA citizen who cannot claim benefits:


Your 2-year-old may get free childcare if you are getting support under the Immigration and Asylum Act and have either:


  • claimed asylum in the UK and are waiting for a decision (known as ‘part 6’)
  • been refused asylum in the UK (known as ‘section 4’)


A 2-year-old you care for may also get free childcare if your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, and you have any of the following:


  • leave to remain with ‘no recourse to public funds’ on family or private life grounds
  • support from your local council because you have ‘a child in need’, for example they have a disability or a child protection plan
  • the right to live in the UK because you’re the main carer of a British citizen (known as a ‘Zambrano Carer’)


Check with your local council if you’re unsure if you can get free childcare.


For more information download our document:

2 Year Old Funding Leaflet








If you do have any questions regarding the free childcare, then please speak to Ajay, our funding co-ordinator, who will be more than happy to help.