Early Years Entitlement Funding
Little Stars collaborates with Somerset's Local Authority and adheres to the Code of Practice in order to provide funding for the Early Years Entitlement to children aged from nine months up to five years old.
Working Family Entitlement for eligible children from 9 months old – 5 years old; available from the funded period after your child becomes 9 months old.
If your child becomes 9 months old between: |
The funding can be claimed from: |
1st September – 31st December (Autumn Term) |
1st January |
1st January – 31st March (Spring Term) |
1st April |
1st April – 31st August (Summer Term) |
1st September |
Parents can start to access the entitlement the term after eligibility has been confirmed. See table below:
Eligibility confirmed: |
Parents can start to use the funding from: |
1st January – 31st March (Spring Term) |
1st April (Summer Term) |
1st April – 31st August (Summer Term) |
1st September (Autumn Term) |
1st September – 31st December (Autumn Term) |
1st January (Spring Term) |
Funding for eligible two year olds in supported families
Families with 2-year-old children may be entitled to claim funding for up to 570 hours per year.
(A maximum of 12 hours per week using the stretched offer).
Families with 2-year-old children may be entitled to claim funding for up to 570 hours per year.
(A maximum of 12 hours per week using the stretched offer).
For children who qualify for funding for two-year old’s, funding will be available from the date stated on the acceptance letter, this will not be earlier than the first day of the funding period after their second birthday.
The Universal entitlement for eligible children from 9 months is 570 hours across the year. A minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 9.75 hours may be claimed in any one day.
A maximum of 15 hours may be claimed during each week (based on 38 weeks).
'The Stretched Offer'
The entitlement can be ‘stretched’ over more than 38 weeks, with less than the maximum weekly hours being taken per week to enable the entitlement to be used across the whole year.
At Little Stars the maximum number of weeks that the funding can be 'stretched' over is 46.
(570 stretched over 46 = approximately 12 hours per week)
Parents may use more than one provider but no more than three over one week and no more than two in one day.
You can only claim the maximum entitlement of hours per funding period in total.
A maximum of 15 hours may be claimed during each week (based on 38 weeks).
'The Stretched Offer'
The entitlement can be ‘stretched’ over more than 38 weeks, with less than the maximum weekly hours being taken per week to enable the entitlement to be used across the whole year.
At Little Stars the maximum number of weeks that the funding can be 'stretched' over is 46.
(570 stretched over 46 = approximately 12 hours per week)
Parents may use more than one provider but no more than three over one week and no more than two in one day.
You can only claim the maximum entitlement of hours per funding period in total.
30 Hour Extended Entitlement
For eligible working families, 3 and 4-year olds are entitled to an additional 570 funded hours (up to 30 hours per week or 1,140 hours in total, universal + extended across the year).
Parents can apply for the extended entitlement through the government Childcare Service via www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. A 30-hour eligibility code must be verified by the provider before an extended entitlement space can be provided for the child. Parents can start to access the extended entitlement the term after eligibility has been confirmed.
Any hours that are used outside of the funding hours are charged at £6.00 per hour.
For eligible working families, 3 and 4-year olds are entitled to an additional 570 funded hours (up to 30 hours per week or 1,140 hours in total, universal + extended across the year).
Parents can apply for the extended entitlement through the government Childcare Service via www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. A 30-hour eligibility code must be verified by the provider before an extended entitlement space can be provided for the child. Parents can start to access the extended entitlement the term after eligibility has been confirmed.
Any hours that are used outside of the funding hours are charged at £6.00 per hour.
Update April 2025
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Website Designed By: Caroline Perrin
Website Designed By: Caroline Perrin