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 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
- Mandatory Headcount Return available to complete 19 March to 3 April 2026
- Optional Adjustment Return available to complete 27 April to 1 May 2026
- Optional Adjustment Return available to complete 20 May to 2 June 2026
- Optional Adjustment Return available to complete 29 June to 3 July 2026
- Mandatory Headcount Return available to complete 15 July to 31 July 2026
- Mandatory Headcount Return available to complete 25 August to 8 September 2026
- Optional Adjustment Return available to complete 28 September to 2 October 2026
- Optional Adjustment Return available to complete 21 October to 4 November 2026
- Mandatory Headcount Return available to complete 25 November to 2 December 2026
- Mandatory Headcount Return available to complete 16 December to 6 January 2027
- Optional Adjustment Return available to complete 27 January to 3 February 2027
- Mandatory Headcount Return available to complete 24 February to 3 March 2027
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 09 March 2026