Overview
The government has recently announced plans to expand the funding entitlements to all eligible working families of children aged 9 months and above by September 2025.
The government has confirmed that:
- from April 2024, all eligible working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access funding for 15 hours per week of education and care
- from September 2024, all eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3-years-old will able to access funding for 15 hours per week of education and care
- from September 2025, all eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up school age will be able to access funding for 30 hours per week of education and care
Currently all 3 and 4-year-old children are entitled to 570 hours of funded early education per year. It's available from the term following the child's 3rd birthday up until they reach compulsory school age. It's for every child irrespective of background or family circumstances.
The 570 funded early education hours can be taken at a:
- childminder
- private/voluntary day nursery
- pre-school
- independent school
- school nursery
To find details about childcare provisions in your area, use the button below.