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Early education and childcare funding

Three and four year old early education entitlement (universal 15 hours)

All three and four year olds in England can get 570 hours of funded early education and childcare per year. This is known as the universal entitlement. You can get the funded hours from the term after your child’s 3rd birthday.

This entitlement is usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year, but some providers will let you stretch the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.

Funded early education and childcare:

must be with an approved childcare provider - find registered childcare on the Rutland Information Service website
stops when your child starts school (or reaches compulsory school age, if later)

Your provider may ask you to pay extra costs for meals, additional hours and consumables such as nappies, sun cream and for services such as trips and specialist tuition. Ask your provider about available options for alternatives to paying additional charges.

Find out if you're entitled to 30 hours

How to apply

When a place has been secured and as a parent/carer you have signed the Rutland Parent Declaration, your provider will apply for government funding from the local authority.