Funded Early Education for 3 and 4 Year Olds - information on accessing 15 and 30 hours
Funded flexible early education for 570 hours a year for all 3 and 4 year olds.
The details:
Is it really free?
Yes. The hours are free to you. However, should you have meals or additional hours there could be a cost, please discuss this when you visit your chosen childcare provider.
When does this funding start?
Children will qualify for a funded early education place the term after their third birthday.
Funded flexible early education for 570 hours a year for all 3 and 4 year olds.
The details:
- The 570 hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year (term time only). This means a maximum of 15 hours a week of funded flexible early education can be accessed throughout term time.
- The 15 hours can be taken over a minimum of 2 days per week.
- No session can be longer than 10 hours
- No session can be shorter than 2.5 hours.
- Sessions are restricted to between the hours of 7am and 7pm.
- The funded hours can be split between a maximum of two childcare providers (for example a pre-school and a childminder).
Is it really free?
Yes. The hours are free to you. However, should you have meals or additional hours there could be a cost, please discuss this when you visit your chosen childcare provider.
When does this funding start?
Children will qualify for a funded early education place the term after their third birthday.
- Children born between 1 April and 31 August can access entitlement from 1 September following their third birthday.
- Children born between 1 September and 31 December can access entitlement from 1 January following their third birthday.
- Children born between 1 January and 31 March can access entitlement from 1 April following their third birthday.
If you and your partner are both working a minimum of 16 hours per week (or 16 hours if you are single), then you may be eligible for 30 hours childcare (1140 hours per year).
Please go to https://www.childcare-support.tax.service.gov.uk/par/app/extendedentitlement for further information.
Find out more about 30 hours free childcare click below
Please go to https://www.childcare-support.tax.service.gov.uk/par/app/extendedentitlement for further information.
Find out more about 30 hours free childcare click below