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Working Parent Entitlement for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds

Funded childcare or early education for 38 weeks, available to eligible 2, 3 and 4-year-olds

Not all 2, 3 and 4-year-olds are eligible for this funding and parents must apply through Best Start in Life.

Deadline dates for applying for your working parent eligibility code:

31 December to access funding in the Spring Term
31 March to access funding in the Summer Term

31 August to access funding in the Autumn Term

To keep your funded childcare place you need to reconfirm your details with Best Start in Life, every 3 months. A 'reminder' emails will be sent to parent(s) 14 days before the codes expiry date (it may be necessary to check your junk emails)

Please also ensure you reconfirm their eligibility code before the "Eligible to" date rather than the "Grace Period" date.

For further information please see our leaflet: Help with Childcare Costs

You can begin claiming the Working Parent Entitlement funded childcare from the term after your child's birthday and you have received a valid eligibility code for that term.

When child turns relevant age (2, 3 or 4 years old) 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)

AND

The parents have applied before the deadline date, have a valid eligibility code and the code has a start date on or before:

  • 31 August        for the       Autumn term
  • 31 December   for the       Spring term
  • 31 March          for the       Summer term

This funding is in addition to the 15 hours universal funded childcare for all 3 and 4-years-olds and can be used at the same time at your chosen childcare provider.

You can begin claiming the Working Parent Entitlement funded childcare from the term after your child's birthday and you have received a valid eligibility code for that term.

When child turns relevant age (2, 3 or 4 years old) 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)

AND

The parents have applied before the deadline date, have a valid eligibility code and the code has a start date on or before:

  • 31 August        for the       Autumn term
  • 31 December   for the       Spring term
  • 31 March          for the       Summer term

This funding is in addition to the 15 hours universal funded childcare for all 3 and 4-years-olds and can be used at the same time at your chosen childcare provider.

You, and any partner living at the same address, must each expect to earn the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum or Living Wage.

If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity, or adoption leave, or you’re unable to work because you are disabled or having caring responsibilities, you may still be eligible.

You cannot get funded childcare if either you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn over £100,000 adjusted net income per year (corresponds with income task thresholds).

You, and any partner living at the same address, must each expect to earn the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum or Living Wage.

If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity, or adoption leave, or you’re unable to work because you are disabled or having caring responsibilities, you may still be eligible.

You cannot get funded childcare if either you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn over £100,000 adjusted net income per year (corresponds with income task thresholds).

You can apply from the term before your child's birthday.

Child's Birthday Recommended time to apply
1st Apr - 31st Aug 15th June to 31st July
1st Sept - 31st Dec 15th October to 30th November
1st Jan - 31st Mar 15th January to 28th February

Apply through Best Start in Life.

You can apply from the term before your child's birthday.

Child's Birthday Recommended time to apply
1st Apr - 31st Aug 15th June to 31st July
1st Sept - 31st Dec 15th October to 30th November
1st Jan - 31st Mar 15th January to 28th February

Apply through Best Start in Life.

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.  You have a total of 570 or 1140 hours per year, per child, depending on your eligibility and child's age these can be accessed over 33-52 weeks. 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.  You have a total of 570 or 1140 hours per year, per child, depending on your eligibility and child's age these can be accessed over 33-52 weeks. 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. 

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. 

Parents must apply for an eligibility code to begin claiming the Working Parent Entitlement funded childcare through the Best Start in Life website.

Apply now

Parents must apply for an eligibility code to begin claiming the Working Parent Entitlement funded childcare through the Best Start in Life website.

Apply now