About early education funding
Working families who meet the eligibility criteria can claim up to 30 hours of childcare per week. Currently this entitlement is available for 3 to 4 year olds who meet the criteria. From April 2024 this was expanded:
- From April 2024, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds can access 15 hours of expanded early education and childcare funding (over 38 weeks a year) from the term after their child's 2nd birthday
- From September 2024, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3-year-olds can access 15 hours of expanded early education and childcare funding (over 38 weeks a year) from the term following their child turning 9 months
- From September 2025, the offer will be rolled out in full, with eligible working parents of children aged 9 months and above able to access up to 30 hours of early education and childcare funding (over 38 weeks a year) from the term following their child turning 9 months
Early education funding can be accessed with any Herefordshire provider, as long as they are registered with Ofsted or a childminder agency and Herefordshire local authority. The funded entitlement can also be accessed with providers in neighbouring English local authorities. We are not able to fund the expanded English childcare offer for children attending providers in Wales or children residing in Wales accessing funding within Herefordshire.