All three year olds are entitled to funded, good quality early years place from the term after their third birthday.
This place runs for two years until they reach compulsory school age, and it can be taken flexibly if the setting can accommodate it. Settings can be in the maintained sector, in the private sector or voluntary sector - as long as they are registered to deliver the funded entitlement. These can include day nurseries, pre-schools or childminders.
When a child at your setting reaches the age at which they can claim the funded place, there are a number of procedures for you to follow. Here you will find a number of useful documents to help you out with the process.
Early Education Funding Provider Portal
Early education for all two, three and four year olds is processed and administered through the Early Education Funding provider portal.
Providers are able to submit their early education estimates and headcount funding information for children in their care through the Early Education Funding provider portal. The portal is opened and closed at specified times throughout each term to allow time for you to submit your information and for the IEYS Team to then process and make payments and, if necessary, contact you for clarification on the information you have submitted.
Extra time for threes and fours
All three-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare from the term after their third birthday. The Extra time for threes and fours entitlement allows parents to claim an additional 15 hours if they each work a minimum of 16 hours per week at the national minimum or living wage, which would make individual earnings of approximately £125+ a week.
This means 30 hours per week during term time (38 weeks) or dependent on the provider, up to 1,140 hours 'stretched' over 52 weeks (using fewer hours per week). If the parents aren't entitled they will carry on receiving the funded 15 hours of childcare which is available for all families in England.
Marketing resources for 30 hours and Tax-Free Childcare
Here we have provided some useful links to marketing resources, including social media assets and toolkits for providers with regard to 30 hours and Tax-Free Childcare which can be uploaded to your own website or downloaded and displayed as posters.
If you would like further information or clarification about any aspect of Early Education Funding please contact us.
