Early Education Funding in Coventry information for professionals

Funding for eligible working parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years (expanded hours funding)

From September 2024 working parents, may be eligible to receive up to 15 hours per week of funded childcare, up to a maximum of 570 hours per academic year, for children aged 9 months to 3 years. From September 2025, this funding increases to 30 hours per week for eligible children.

• Eligible parents can access expanded hours funding from the term after the child turns 9 months.
• Parents can apply for Working Parents Expanded Funding
• Parents must complete an online application form to determine eligibility.
• Eligibility must be re-confirmed every 3 months as prompted by HMRC or the childcare provider.

Funding for targeted two year olds

• Not all children are eligible to receive the targeted 2-year-old funding entitlement.
• Eligible children can get up to 15 hours, per week of funded childcare, 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 online application to determine eligibility.
• Authorised professionals may apply on behalf of a parent.
• Once a child has started a Targeted 2-year-old funded place, they will not lose eligibility, even if parents financial circumstances change.  Funding will remain in place until the term after the child’s 3rd birthday, when they will transition seamlessly into universal early education funding.
• Where parents require support in finding an appropriate childcare provision the Early Years Business, Sufficiency & Funding Team offer a brokerage service to assist parents. Please contact us by telephone or email if brokerage is required.

Funding for all 3 and 4 year olds (universal funding entitlement)

All 3 and 4 year-olds in England are entitled to access universal funding, the term after the child’s 3rd birthday. This funding entitlement continues until the child starts a Reception Class place 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

• Universal funding provides up to 15 hours per week of funded education, over 38 weeks (up to a maximum of 570 hours per academic year)
• Parents should contact their chosen childcare provider to arrange a place.
• Parents do not need an eligibility code to access this type of funding as it is a universal entitlement for all 3 and 4 year-olds.
• Where parents require support in finding an appropriate childcare provision the Early Years Business, Sufficiency & Funding Team offer a brokerage service to assist parents. Please contact us by telephone or email if brokerage is required.

Funding for eligible working parents of children aged 3 to 4 years (extended hours funding)

As highlighted in the previous section, all 3- & 4-year-olds are entitled to access up to 15 hours per week of universal funding.  However, some will also be entitled to an additional 15 hours per week, bringing the total to a maximum of 30 hours per week over 38 weeks.  This combined with universal funding provides a maximum of 1140 hours per academic year for eligible children.

To apply for these additional hours parents must complete an online application form to determine eligibility. The application can only be completed by the parent.

Parents must re-confirm their eligibility every 3 months as prompted 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.