Funded early education and childcare is expanding. By September 2025, working families who meet the eligibility criteria will be able to claim up to 30 hours of funded early education and childcare. This is called 'Working parents entitlement'.
The funded entitlements are being introduced in phases:
- From September 2024, eligible working parents of children from nine months up to three-years-old can access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term following their child turning nine months.
- From September 2025, the offer will be rolled out in full, with eligible working parents of children aged nine months and above able to access 30 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term following their child turning nine months.
The new entitlements do not replace FEET funding for eligible two-year-olds or Universal (15 hours) funding for all three and four-year-olds.
Eligible working parents of children aged three and four-years-old can currently access up to 30 hours funded early education and childcare (for 38 weeks of the year) from the term following their child turning three years old.
For more information on the different funding options available, and how to apply, visit the webpages below:
- Funded early education for two year olds (FEET)
- Funded early education and childcare for three and four-year-olds (Universal Entitlement)
- Working parents entitlement (new 15 and 30 funded hours)
Funded early education for two-year-olds
Funded Early Education for two-year-olds (FEET) offers eligible families receiving additional forms of support, up to 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week for 38 weeks a year. You can find out if your child can get FEET on the Funded early education for two year olds webpage.
Working parents' entitlement
From September 2024, working parents of children aged 9 months and above may also be eligible for this funding, from the term following their child turning 9 months. This funding is already available for eligible working parents of three and four-year-olds, in addition to the universal entitlement. You can find out if your child is eligible for the working parents' entitlement and learn how to apply by visiting the Working parents entitlement webpage.
Universal Entitlement for three and four-year-olds
In England, all three and four-year-olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week for up to 38 weeks a year. This is to give children the opportunity to take part in planned learning activities and help prepare them for school through the early learning goals set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
This is a universal offer and is available to all children regardless of their family circumstances. It can be accessed through a childcare provider who is registered with Surrey to claim the funding on your behalf.
For more information, please see the Funded early education and childcare for three and four-year-olds webpage.
Check your options
If you are unsure on what help you are entitled to for paying for childcare, visit Childcare Choices. Enter your details into the checker to see what hours you can claim, when they would start and how to apply.
