Funded early years education
There are different options for funding childcare. Find the right option for you on the Childcare Choices website.
From September 2025, 15 hours for working families with children under three will expand to 30 hours, meaning eligible working families can now apply for 30 hours of childcare from the term after their child turns nine months until they reach school age. Further information about the upcoming changes to childcare support, childcare funding, and when to apply can be found on the Childcare Choices website.
- Funded early education and childcare for parents of two-year-olds who receive certain benefits or meet the eligibility criteria
- Funded early education and childcare for three- and four-year-olds
- Tax-free childcare
- Universal Credit and childcare
Two-year-old early years education online application for parents receiving additional forms of support
Check if you are eligible and apply online.
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself up to five minutes to fill in the form.
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, and would like your child to attend an early years setting before your child reaches nine months, you will need to pay until your child is eligible for the funding. However, all three- and four-year-olds are entitled to receive up to 15 hours per week (or 570 hours per year) of nursery education funding.
Our directory of support services lists childcare providers offering two-year-old funded places, approved by Ofsted. Early years education takes place in pre-schools, nurseries or with childminders.
You can also get free, tailored and impartial advice from Southampton Family Information Service.
