3 and 4 year olds
All 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to up to 15 hours a week of free early years education. It must be with one of the approved childcare providers. This includes:
- day nurseries
- pre-schools
- playgroups
- independent school nurseries
- childminders
The entitlement starts the term after your child’s third birthday.
When will my child be eligible for the free entitlement?
Your child becomes eligible from the start of the term after they become 3 years old.
| Child born between | Term they can start |
|---|---|
| 1 September and 31 December is eligible from January | Spring Term |
| 1 January and 31 March is eligible from April | Summer Term |
| 1 April and 31 August is eligible from September | Autumn Term |
30 Hour Childcare Funding
Children of working parents or carers, may qualify for an additional 15 hours a week, making 30 hours in total. This will be dependent on whether parents or carers meet the national eligibility criteria.
You may be eligible for 30 hours funding if:
- You live in England
- Your child is between the age of 3 and 4
- Your income is less than £100,000 per year
Find out more on if you qualify for 30 hours free childcare using the Government's Childcare Calculator.
Eligibility codes and application
To get the 30 hours funding for your child, you will need to apply for the eligibility code via Childcare Choices.
For each term, you will have to apply for the code by a specific date for it to be valid for use. The table below will show dates of when you need to apply for the code by, for each term.
|
Term |
Apply By |
| Spring Term | 31st December |
| Autumn Term | 31st August |
| Summer Term | 31st March |
Apply for free education for 3 & 4 year olds
30 hours for children of working parents or carers
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)
Early Education providers may be eligible for EYPP to help support a child. This funding is provided to help improve the learning and development of disadvantaged 3 and 4 year olds.
The early education providers can receive up to £353 per year to help with the child's education. The funding is directly sent to early years education providers.
EYPP Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the EYPP funds, your child must be aged 3 - 4 year old obtaining 15 hours free childcare.
You must get one of the following to qualify:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
- Working Tax Credit run-on, which is paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year after tax not including any benefits you get
You may also qualify if your child is:
- A looked after child
- Adopted
- Special Guardianship order
- Child Arrangements order
To apply for EYPP fund, contact your childcare provider.
Disability Access Fund
Children aged 3 and 4 year old with 15 hours free childcare funding and disability living allowance can get disability access funding paid to their early education providers. The early years providers could get up to £910 or more per year to help with their education and support.
To apply for the disability access funding speak to your childcare provider.
Please visit the website to understand more about extra funding - Get extra funding for your early years provider - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)