Government Funding for 15 hours of Free Childcare
All three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week, starting the term after their 3rd birthday.
This is known as universal entitlement and equates to a maximum of 570 funded hours split across three blocks – Autumn, Spring and Summer.
Government Funding for 30 hours of Free Childcare
Some working families may be eligible to claim for 30 hours of free childcare per week. This means that, in addition to the 570 hours of universal funding, a further 570 hours may be available.
This is known as extended entitlement and is split across three blocks – Autumn, Spring and Summer.
Your child will be eligible for the funding at the beginning of the funding block which starts after their 3rd birthday, as follows:
| DATE OF BIRTH | FUNDING BLOCK | NURSERY START DATE |
| 1st April – 31st August | Autumn | on or after 1st September |
| 1st September – 31st December | Spring | on or after 1st January |
| 1st January – 31st March | Summer | on or after 1st April |
For more information and to check your eligibility, please visit:
https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/how-to-apply-for-30-hours-childcare