Funding for 3- and 4-year-olds

All 3- and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week (570 hours a year) of free early years education.

We are also able to offer some places to eligible 2-year-olds.

You can start receiving funding the term after your child turns three. Children become entitled for a funded place on 1 January, 1 April and 1 September.

Where the Easter holiday falls does not affect eligibility.

If you would like your child to attend a pre-school or other provider before their 3-year-old funding starts, you will need to pay until your child is eligible for the funding, unless your child is eligible for a funded 2-year-old place.

Your child is entitled to 570 hours of early education.

This can be used across a minimum of 38 weeks, and a maximum of 15 hours per week. For many children this will mean three hours a day during school term times.

You can 'stretch' your child's entitlement by taking fewer hours a week over more weeks of the year, where the provider has capacity to offer this.

The following standards apply:

• No session to be longer than 10 hours
• No minimum session length (subject to the requirements of registration on the Ofsted Early Years Register)
• Not before 6am or after 8pm
• A maximum of two sites in a single day

You will need to speak to your chosen provider about the availability and times of sessions available.

You may be entitled to up to 30 hours per week or 1140 hours per year for children where their parents meet certain criteria.

The free early education and childcare can be taken in a variety of settings in Southampton.

It's available at participating:

• School nursery classes
• Nurseries or pre-schools on school sites
• Independent schools
• Nurseries or pre-schools in Children’s Centres
• Day nurseries
• Pre-schools
• Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
• After school clubs
• Childminders (childminders cannot be funded for a child to whom they are related)

All settings that offer nursery education must be registered with Ofsted. Providers of funded early education places are usually judged as good or outstanding. Some settings with less than good or outstanding may be able to offer sessions.

You can use your entitlement at more than one provider, for example using a group provider and a childminder. We strongly recommend that you consider the impact on continuity of care for children when enabling children to take up their early education place at more than one provider, as some children find this very unsettling.

Settings may be run by private, voluntary, independent or maintained providers.

Your child does not legally have to attend any type of education until the term after their 5th birthday. However, this is a very important stage for your child as it helps get them ready for school as well as preparing them for their future learning and successes.

From when your child is born up until the age of 5, their early years experience should be happy, active, exciting, fun and secure, and support their development, care and learning needs. Attending an early years setting will ensure that you and your child are supported during this important period.

You can choose to use only part of your entitlement e.g. two sessions per week.

Funding is paid directly to the childcare provider. You will be asked by the provider to complete a declaration form. If you need to pay fees for the additional services provided (for example, if a nursery is looking after your child for more than the funded 15 or 30 hours in a week), the funding will be passed to you as a saving on your fees.

The 15 hours funded childcare/early education offer is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 15 hour place and must be offered alternative options. 

Your childcare provider or the Family Information Service can give you more information about any additional fees and charges which may be payable.

To get a place for your child, you will need to find a setting suitable for you and your child. You can view our guide to choosing the right childcare setting and find local childcare. 

You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £152 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage).

If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.

You can't get 30 hours free childcare if either you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 or more.

Details of the criteria and how to apply can be found on the Government 30 hour website.

View this guide on how parent's who have applied for the 30 hours can access their account.

If haven’t been able to complete your application and get your 30 hours free childcare code for technical reasons, you should call HMRC on 0300 123 4097.

There is also a guide for claiming compensation or a top-up refund.

The 30 hours free childcare offer is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 30 hour place, and must be offered alternative options.