Information on the current entitlement for children aged from 9 months to 4 year olds can be found on our funding page for parents. This includes information on criteria and when children can access funding and how parents apply.
Eligible children could access funded hours up until and including the term a child turns 5 years old if attending a childminder, a private, independent, voluntary or governor run nursery or preschool. But children attending a primary school reception class from the age of 4 years old are not eligible for funding as reception class is a full time school placement.
From September 2025 families could be entitled to the following depending on meeting the age and eligibility criteria:
- 9 months to (and including) 2 year olds - through the Working Parent Entitlement parents could get up to 1140 hours per year to use as 30 hours a week over 38 weeks, or as fewer hours per week but over more weeks of the year.
Children could become eligible from the term after turning 9 months old and if a parent has successfully applied for and received an eligibility code from Childcare Choices, whichever is later. Funding could start:
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- From 1 April - for applications made between 1 January - 31 March
- From 1 September - for applications made between 1 April - 31 August
- From 1 January - for applications made between 1 September - 31 December
- Disadvantaged 2 year old funding- known as Think2 - parents could get up to 570 hours per year to use as 15 hours a week over 38 weeks, or as fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year. This entitlement can start from the term after a child turns 2 years old or anytime thereafter, depending on eligibility and parent has received a confirmation after applying online.
Children can become eligible as follows:
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- 1 January - 31 March - Funding can start from the following summer term (from 1 April)
- 1 April - 31 August - Funding can start from the following autumn term (from 1 September)
- 1 September - 31 December - Funding can start from the following spring term (from 1 January)
- Funded for 3 and 4 year olds - with the Universal (15 hours) and Working Parent Entitlement (15 hours) parents could get up to 1140 hours per year to use as 30 hours a week over 38 weeks, or as fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year. To gain access the 15 hours for the Working Parent Entitlement, parents must meet the eligibility criteria and have a code from Childcare Choices.
- Families of 3 and 4 year olds who are not eligible for the Working Parent Entitlement would be eligible for the Universal 15 hours only and could get up to 570 hours per year to use as 15 hours a week over 38 weeks, or as fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year. Children become eligible from the term after turning 3 years old.
Providers determine how they offer funded hours to parents but are encouraged to listen to the needs of families especially working parents.