Free early education and childcare for 3 and 4 year olds

All 3 and 4 year olds can receive up to 570 hours a year of early education and childcare, often called Universal Entitlement. This is spread across three funding blocks, with a maximum of 15 hours a week.

Working parents may be able to claim additional hours to support with childcare costs, known as 30 hours.

Free early education and childcare for 2 year olds

If you receive financial support you could be eligible for funded childcare for your child when they turn 2 (children looked after by the local authority automatically qualify for this childcare).

How to apply

You can check the current eligibility criteria on GOV.UK.

Children who meet the criteria will qualify for the first full funding block of childcare following their second birthday.

The 3 blocks are:

• 1 September to 31 December
• 1 January to 31 March
• 1 April to 31 August