Delivering funded early education and childcare
Funded places for 3 and 4-year-olds
All parents and carers of 3 and 4-year-old children are able to claim up to 570 hours a year of free early education and childcare, also known as Universal Childcare. This is split over the 3 funding blocks.
Some parents of 3 and 4-year-old children may also be eligible to claim up to an additional 570 hours a year (split over 3 funding blocks) of free early education and childcare (known as 30 hours).
Funded places for 2-year-olds for families in England, receiving some additional forms of government support
Eligible parents of 2-year-old children may be eligible to claim up to 570 hours a year (split over 3 funding blocks) of free early education and childcare.
Funded places for 9 month to 2-year-olds for eligible working families in England
Eligible parents of 9 month to 2-year-old children may be eligible to claim up to 1140 hours a year (split over 3 funding blocks) of free early education and childcare.
Headcount dates and funding calendar
- Mandatory Headcount Return available to complete 24 March to 2 April 2025
- Optional Adjustment Return available to complete 23 April to 5 May 2025
- Optional Adjustment Return available to complete 21 May to 3 June 2025
- Optional Adjustment Return available to complete 24 June to 1 July 2025
- Mandatory Headcount Return available to complete 28 July to 4 August 2025
- Mandatory Headcount Return available to complete 5 September to 11 September 2025
- Optional Adjustment Return available to complete 24 September to 3 October 2025
- Optional Adjustment Return available to complete 29 October to 5 November 2025
- Mandatory Headcount Return available to complete 20 November to 28 November 2025
- Mandatory Headcount Return available to complete 17 December to 9 January 2026
- Optional Adjustment Return available to complete 28 January to 3 February 2026
- Mandatory Headcount Return available to complete 25 February to 3 March 2026
For further information or to request a copy of the funding calendar please email [email protected].
Provider agreement and compliance review
Provider agreement
All providers delivering Early Education and Childcare Funded provision for 9 months, 2, 3 and 4-year-olds must read and accept the 'provider agreement’ and 'the Addendum'.
Please use our online form to accept the provider agreement and the addendum.
Last updated 07 August 2025