3 and 4 year old funding universal entitlement

Funded early education is available to all three and four-year-old children living in England. The number of hours available will be dependent on their family's circumstances.

Unless their parents meet certain national criteria to received additional funded hours.  They are entitled to a maximum of 570 hours funded childcare per year. This is known as the universal entitlement.

This entitlement equates to 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year, or fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year (eg 12 hours a week for 47.5 weeks of the year).

The way in which the entitlement is offered to parents and carers must adhere to the Early education and childcare statutory guidance issued by the Department for Education and the Local Authority's Funding Agreement.

Either entitlement can be accessed from the claim period following the child's third birthday provided the criteria is met.

Download our guidance on when funding can be offered/claimed (PDF) [101KB].

Need some support to claim?

Parents and Carers
Families should talk to their childcare provider. 

Providers
If you have a query about funding, you can:

• email the Early Years Finance team at earlyyearsfinance@norfolk.gov.uk
• call the Early Years Finance team on 01603 222300 - Option 2
• attend training which is offered via Zoom sessions

Marketing materials

Leaflets and posters about early education are available. Contact Family Information via fis@norfolk.gov.uk to find out more.

Other information

• Early education funding documentation - claim form, calculators, funding agreement
• Early Years Pupil Premium