Funded childcare for 3 and 4 year olds
A government-funded place for 3 and 4 year olds is available to all families in England. You will receive:
- 15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
- a total of 570 hours per year, which you can use flexibly with one or more childcare providers
Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks by taking fewer hours per week.
You do not need to apply for a code to access 15 hours for 3 and 4 year olds. Contact your local nursery or childminder directly and find out when you can start.
Funded places can be accessed for:
- children born from 1 January to 31 March, who can join from the start of the term beginning on or following 1 April after their birthday
- children born from 1 April to 31 August, who can join from the start of the term beginning on or following 1 September their birthday
- children born from 1 September to 31 December, who can join from the start of the term beginning on or following 1 January after their birthday
Children can start a funded place from the first day of term until the headcount date:
- autumn census - first Thursday in October
- spring census - third Thursday in January
- summer census - third Thursday in May
If you have never accessed a funded place before and you have missed the deadline above, speak to your childcare provider to see if they can arrange a late start.
If your child leaves a funded place before the headcount date or starts after it, the provider may charge the family for the agreed-upon funded hours.
If you have any questions about accessing an early education place, email earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk
Page last updated: 9 February 2024
