Early education funding (EEF) for parents

A range of childcare funding options is available, depending on your child's age and your family's circumstances. Find out more about the support you may be eligible for:

Check what support you might be eligible for

Funded childcare options

Eligible children aged 2 years who meet the criteria for targeted funding through the Families in Receipt of Additional Support (Best Start) scheme, and eligible 3- and 4-year-olds whose parents qualify for the working families entitlement, can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week in total.

Funding can begin from the term following the date on which a child both:

Meets the eligibility criteria; and
Reaches the required age for the funding offer

Funding offer	Child aged 9 months to 2 years	Child aged 2 to 3 years	Child aged 3 to 4 years
Universal offer (15 hours)	No	No	Yes
Two-year-olds from families in receipt of additional support (Best Start)	No	Yes	No
Targeted offer for working families	Yes	Yes*	Yes*
Targeted offer for fostered children	Yes	Yes	Yes

*Eligible 2-year-olds accessing Best Start funding and eligible 3- and 4-year-olds receiving the working families entitlement can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week.

Funding starts from the term after a child becomes eligible and reaches the required age.

Child turns 9 months, 2 years or 3 years of age between:	Funded entitlement can start:
1 January to 31 March	Summer term - 1 April
1 April to 31 August	Autumn term - 1 September
1 September to 31 December	Spring term - 1 January

Other help with childcare costs

You may be eligible for other financial support to help with childcare costs, depending on your family's circumstances and the age of your child.

Tax-Free Childcare - Available to eligible working families, including self-employed parents with children aged 0 to 11 (or up to 16 years if your child has a disability).
Universal Credit Childcare costs - Working parents receiving Universal Credit may be able to claim back up to 85% of eligible childcare costs for children under 17.
Childcare vouchers and other employer schemes - If you joined a scheme on or before 4 October 2018 you may still be able to receive childcare vouchers or directly contracted childcare support.
School-aged childcare - Support is available for families with primary school-aged children through a range of before school, after school and holiday childcare provision.
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme - Provides free holiday activities and meals for children and young people in Reception to Year 11 who are eligible for benefit-related free school meals.
Support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) - Additional funding and support may be available to help meet your child's individual needs and reduce childcare costs.
Children who are looked after or previously looked after - Some children who are looked after by a local authority, or who have been adopted from care, may be eligible for funded childcare.

Please note: Eligibility criteria apply to all childcare funding and support schemes. Eligibility does not guarantee entitlement, and individual circumstances will be assessed against the relevant criteria.

Support while you learn

If you are studying and need help with childcare costs, the following support may be available:

Care to Learn - For parents under 20 who are studying on a publicly funded course, such as at school or sixth form. This scheme can help with childcare costs.
Discretionary Learner Support - For parents aged 19 or over who are studying courses such as an NVQ, BTEC or PGCE.
Childcare Grant - For parents in full-time higher education, such as university, who have children under 15 years old (or under 17 years if the child has special educational needs or a disability).

This funding can help parents continue their education while meeting childcare costs. Check the eligibility criteria for each scheme before applying.

Families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

Some families who are subject to immigration control may have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) but could still be eligible for funded early education and childcare.

Further information is available on the early education and childcare page on the NRPF Network website.

Further information

There is additional information available about help with childcare costs and how to apply on the government's Best Start in Life Parent Hub.

You can also find out more about:

Early education and childcare funding
The different types of childcare provision available
Finding a childcare provider
Raising a concern or making a complaint about a childcare provider

Related information

This information can help families understand their childcare options, funding entitlements and how personal information is used when applying for funded childcare.