Funded early learning and childcare

Early learning and childcare is a combination of education and care for children under school age.

All eligible children are entitled to up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare. 

You can access funded early learning and childcare at a provider of your choice depending on availability.

Search the early learning and childcare directory

How you can access your funded early learning and childcare

You can take the hours over term time (38 weeks per year), or all year round. 

The maximum hours available per week is 30 hours term time or 22.5 hours all year round. Children can access no more than 10 funded hours in any one day.

All children accessing funded hours over lunch time may receive a free meal. Children can also access their funded meal as breakfast or an evening meal.

Blended placements

A blended placement is where you choose to place your child in more than one setting, such as a childminder and a nursery. 

If you require a blended placement, please speak to your providers directly.

The benefits of early learning and childcare for children

Early learning and childcare:

• improves language and social skills
• encourages your child to learn and play with other children
• helps children in their learning journey with benefits that they take forward into school
• provides a wide range of experience to excite and interest them
• encourages children to be physically active whilst playing with others
• lets children lead their own learning and go at their own pace

The benefits of early learning and childcare for parents

Early learning and childcare:

• gives parents the time to train, study or work
• provides time during the day to get other things done
• offers parents extra time to look for work or increase their working hours
• can give you ideas for fun learning experiences to try at home
• helps to support your child's learning and development at home
• is perfect for meeting other parents and sharing ideas