Early learning and childcare for three and four year olds
Eligibility for funded hours starts the term after a child’s third birthday and all children receive the full number of hours they are entitled to whether they attend a full year or term time placement in either a local authority or partner provider setting. The number of funded hours a child receives depends on the start date of their eligibility.
For session 2022-23 the number of funded hours will be as follows
| Date of Birth | Eligible From |
Funded entitlement for year 2022/2023 |
|
| 1 March 2019 | 31 August 2019 | August 2022 (Autumn Term) | 1140 hours |
| 1 September 2019 | 31 December 2019 |
January 2023 (Spring Term) |
642 hours |
| 1 January 2020 | 29 February 2020 | April 2023 (Summer Term) | 300 hours |
Nursery places for children younger than three are provided at full cost by private nurseries and childminders, unless you’re eligible for free early learning and childcare for two-year olds.
View early years 1140 hours video with audio description
Contact your nursery to discuss how you can use your funded hours, for example
- term time in line with school hours
- morning or afternoon sessions,
- ten-hour day sessions
Applying for a place
Contact your first choice setting and agree when you can drop off your documents at the nursery. To apply please take along the documents noted below:
- apply for nursery form (PDF)
- child's birth certificate - or, if informed by the nursery, their passport
- proof of your address, such as a Council Tax letter or utility bill.
When completing the form, you must give a second and third choice.
To apply at a partner-provider nursery or a childminder please contact them directly.
Find nurseries
Search for a nursery in your area
Download a print-friendly list of council and partner provide centres - PDF