Funded entitlements
Working parents may be able to get 30 hours per week of funded childcare for a child 9 months to 4 years old.
- 30 hours Working parent entitlement if your child's age is from the term after they turn 9 months until they start school - Check eligibility explained on the government website
- Foster carers who are in employment in addition to their foster carers duties may be entitled to 30 hours funding from the term after a child is 9 months old. Please contact your social worker for further information.
You may be able to get funded childcare if you have a 2-year-old and get certain benefits.
- 15 hours for parents of 2 year-olds receiving some additional forms of government support if your child's age is from the term after they turn 2 years old - Check eligibility explained on the government website
All 3 and 4 year olds in England are also entitled to 15 hours of funded early education or childcare per week.
- 15 hours for Universal entitlement for 3 and 4-year-olds if your child's age is from the term after they turn 3 years old until they start school - All 3 and 4-year-olds are eligible for the universal element of the entitlement
For further information visit Best Start in Life.
Funding entitlement start dates
When your child turns the relevant age:
- 1 January to 31 March they can get their hours from - Term starting on or after 1 April
- 1 April to 31 August they can get their hours from - Term starting on or after 1 September
- 1 September to 31 December they can get their hours from - Term starting on or after 1 January