Last updated:
9th January 2024
Funded childcare for working families
What is the Extended Entitlement?
All 3 and 4 year old children currently receive 570 hours of funded early years provision per year from the term after they turn 3 years old (universal offer). This equates to 15 hours per week over 38 weeks.
The extended entitlement for working families will enable eligible families to receive additional funded hours.
Currently 3 and 4 year olds in working families receive an additional 570 hours per year giving a maximum of 1140 hours when added to the universal offer (This equates to 30 hours per week over 38 weeks).
The government has announced that this will be expanded over the next two years for working families which will include:
| From | Hours per week | When you can claim |
|---|---|---|
| Currently available and to remain in place | Up to 30 hours (15 universal and 15 extended) | Term after child's 3rd birthday |
| April 2024 | Up to 15 hours | Term after child's 2nd birthday |
| September 2024 | Up to 15 hours | Term after child turns 9 months old |
| September 2025 | Up to 30 hours | Term after child turns 9 months old |
When a term starts
Terms are counted as starting on the 1st January, 1st April and 1st September regardless of when the individual providers terms start.
A child must have turned the correct age before the term starting dates to get the funding.
