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15 hrs funded childcare for all 3 and 4 year-olds

15 hours of funded childcare or early education for 3 and 4-year-olds over 38 weeks, available to all families in England.

This is a universal offer and no application is required.

You can begin claiming the 15 hours funded childcare for 3 and 4-year-olds from the term after your child's 3rd birthday. 

Children born between: are eligible from:
1st Apr - 31st Aug Autumn Term (1st September to 31st December)
1st Sept - 31st Dec Spring Term (1st January to 31st March)
1st Jan - 31st Mar Summer Term (1st April to 31st August)

The funded entitlement remains in place until the start of their reception year at school, or the term after their 5th birthday, if they officially defer their entry into school.

All 3 & 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours funded childcare from the term after their 3rd birthday, you do not need to apply for it.  Your early years provider will ask you to complete a form stating how many hours you want them to claim on your behalf and they submit the claims to Gloucestershire County Council and we send the payments to them.  They will reduce your invoices by the number of eligible funded hours each term.

You can begin claiming the 15 hours funded childcare for 3 and 4-year-olds from the term after your child's 3rd birthday. 

Children born between: are eligible from:
1st Apr - 31st Aug Autumn Term (1st September to 31st December)
1st Sept - 31st Dec Spring Term (1st January to 31st March)
1st Jan - 31st Mar Summer Term (1st April to 31st August)

The funded entitlement remains in place until the start of their reception year at school, or the term after their 5th birthday, if they officially defer their entry into school.

All 3 & 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours funded childcare from the term after their 3rd birthday, you do not need to apply for it.  Your early years provider will ask you to complete a form stating how many hours you want them to claim on your behalf and they submit the claims to Gloucestershire County Council and we send the payments to them.  They will reduce your invoices by the number of eligible funded hours each term.

Participating childcare providers in Gloucestershire must sign our Local Provider Agreement to confirm they are offering the funded childcare places, and they must be DfE approved childcare.  Types of providers include:

  • Full day care (e.g. nurseries)
  • Childminders
  • Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
  • Children’s Centres
  • Schools (Early Years provision only)
  • After School Clubs (Early Years provision only)

Participating childcare providers in Gloucestershire must sign our Local Provider Agreement to confirm they are offering the funded childcare places, and they must be DfE approved childcare.  Types of providers include:

  • Full day care (e.g. nurseries)
  • Childminders
  • Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
  • Children’s Centres
  • Schools (Early Years provision only)
  • After School Clubs (Early Years provision only)

There are some providers who will allow you to ‘stretch’ your hours over the year, using fewer hours per week for example.  You have a total of 570 hours per year, per child, to claim under the 15 hours funded childcare for 3 and 4-year-olds funding.  But please discuss with your childcare provider whether you can use your hours flexibly outside of the 38 term time only weeks.

There are some providers who will allow you to ‘stretch’ your hours over the year, using fewer hours per week for example.  You have a total of 570 hours per year, per child, to claim under the 15 hours funded childcare for 3 and 4-year-olds funding.  But please discuss with your childcare provider whether you can use your hours flexibly outside of the 38 term time only weeks.

Other fees may apply at your chosen provider(s).  The funded childcare is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 15 hours place, and must be offered alternative options.

Other fees may apply at your chosen provider(s).  The funded childcare is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 15 hours place, and must be offered alternative options.