Early Education Funding in Coventry information for professionals

Funding for Two year olds

• Not all children are eligible to receive the two year old funding entitlement.
• Eligible children can get up to 15 hours, per week, up to a maximum of 570 hours per academic year.
• Eligible children can access a place at the beginning of the school term following their 2nd birthday.
• Parents must complete an application to determine eligibility. Authorised professionals may apply on behalf of the parent/carer.
• Once a child has started their 2 year old funded place, they will not lose this eligibility, even if parents/carers financial circumstances change. The child will continue to be able to access a 2 year old funded place until they seamlessly transition to universal funding.
• Where parents require support in finding an appropriate childcare provision the Early Years team offer a brokerage service. Please contact us by telephone or email if brokerage is required.

Universal funding for three and four year olds

• All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to access the up to 570 hours of early education funding per academic year. This begins the term after the child’s 3rd birthday and continues until they either start reception class in a maintained / free school or academy. In some circumstances where the child remains in a PVI nursery or attends an independent school they may continue to access this funding until they reach compulsory school age, which is the term after their 5th birthday.
• They can access up to 15 hours per week, over 38 weeks per year.
• This entitlement is known as ‘Universal’ funding.
• Parents should contact their chosen childcare provider to arrange a place. Where parents require support in finding an appropriate childcare provision the Early Years team offer a brokerage service.
• Please contact us by telephone or email if brokerage is required.
• There is no requirement to apply for, a unique code from HMRC or the local authority to access the 15 universal hours per week.

Extended entitlement for three and four year olds

Also known as 30 hour funding

• Some 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to an additional 15 hours per week, over 38 weeks, increasing the funded hours to a total of 30.
• Parents must complete an application to determine eligibility.
• The application can only be completed by the parent/carer via the Gov.uk website.
•  Parent/carers must re-confirm their eligibility every 3 months as promoted by HMRC or their childcare provider.
• Once a child has started a Reception Class place in a maintained/free school or academy, they are no longer entitled to receive Early Education Funding. In some circumstances where the child remains in a PVI nursery or attends an independent school they may continue to access this funding until they reach compulsory school age, which is the term after their 5th birthday.