Early years education and childcare - funded hours

If you are a working parent or carer with a child aged between 9 months and 4 years, you may be eligible for 15 to 30 hours of funded Early Years Education and Childcare under the Working Families Funding scheme.

Key information

• For 2 year olds
  • If you receive certain Government benefits, you may be eligible for 15 hours of funded Early Education and Childcare
  • For more information or to apply, email: EY&CBrokerage@swindon.gov.uk

• For all 3 and 4 year olds
  • Every 3 and 4 year old is entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare, available for 38 weeks a year during school term times (or fewer hours spread over more weeks)
  • No eligibility criteria or application is needed, simply register with your chosen childcare provider

• For working parents and carers
  • Funding may be available from the term after your child turns 9 months, provided:
    • both parents (or the sole parent in a lone-parent family) are working
    • the financial eligibility criteria are met
  • Applications must be submitted the term before you wish to use the funding and you must reconfirm your funding code each term

To apply for funding and learn more, visit the Childcare Choices website.

Types of childcare you can use

Funded entitlements can be used with any Ofsted-registered childcare provider, including:

• childminders
• pre-schools, playgroups and nurseries

You can also split your funding across multiple providers, such as:

• a nursery/pre-school and a childminder
• a nursery and a pre-school

For help finding a childcare provider, email: EY&CBrokerage@swindon.gov.uk.