Funded early education and childcare is expanding. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.
The new entitlements are being introduced in phases:
- Eligible working parents of two-year-olds can now access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term after their child's second birthday.
- From September 2024, eligible working parents of children from nine months up to three-year-olds 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.
For more information on the different funding options available, visit the webpages below:
- Funded early education for two year olds (FEET)
- Working parents entitlement
- Funded early education and childcare for three and four-year-olds (Universal Entitlement)
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 by checking the eligibility criteria on the FEET webpage.
Working parents' entitlement
Since April 2024, working parents of two-year-olds may be eligible for up to 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week for 38 weeks a year. 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.