3 and 4 years olds - Early Education Entitlement - Paying for Childcare

3 and 4 year old Universal Entitlement

All 3 and 4 year old children in England are entitled to access up to 15 hours per week of funded early education, up to a maximum of 570 hours per year.  The early education entitlement place must be taken over no fewer than 38 weeks in any one year (1 September to 31 August). Children may take up a funded early education place from the start of the school term after their third birthday but must be registered in a childcare provision by the termly statutory headcount/census date. It is worth asking your childcare provider about the headcount/census date to ensure you don’t miss out on funding! This element of funding is called the Universal Entitlement and remains in place until the child starts school.

Parent/Carers can use the universal funding entitlement with any provider that is registered with the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the Local Authority (LA). Early Years Providers include childminders, school nursery classes, day nurseries or pre-schools that are registered with both Ofsted and Coventry City Council to deliver funded places. 

Parent/Carers do not need to meet any specific criteria in order for a child to access this type of funding because it is a universal entitlement for all 3 & 4 year olds.  To secure a place simply talk to the childcare provider you have chosen about accessing a universal entitlement place. If you need help finding a childcare provider to suit the needs of you and your child, please contact Coventry Early Years Team.

Funding can only be accessed the term after your child turns 3.

Who to contact

E-mail
EYcentral@coventry.gov.uk
Website
Early Years Funding Webpages
Scan to visit this website

Actions

Save to Shortlist

Last Updated

Last updated:

Skip back to top of page