Early education and childcare

Documentation

Childcare Provider Information

Guidance and information to support childcare providers to claim early education:

Early Education Funding Agreement

Click the link for more information and guidance.

Early Education Claim Period Documentation

Parent/Carer Documentation

Funding Entitlement Booklet - This document must be issued to parents and carers with Part 1 of the parent/carer claim form. It provides information to families about the funding entitlements and how they can claim.

Parent/carer booklet (PDF, 427 KB)

Funding Entitlement Parent / Carer Claim Form - The claim form is mandatory. Prior to issuing this form, please refer to the provider guidance below.

The form is split into 3 parts (these are new templates from Autumn 2025) -

Part 1 - provides guidance to complete Part 2 and 3 and QR codes to the booklet, tax-free childcare and universal credit childcare costs
Part 2 - must be completed every time a new entitlement is claimed or when their details (e.g. address) change
Part 3a Cycle of Eligibility Autumn Start - must be completed every time a new entitlement is claimed or when their funding details change
Part 3b Cycle of Eligibility Spring Start - must be completed every time a new entitlement is claimed or when their funding details change
Part 3c Cycle of Eligibility Summer Start - must be completed every time a new entitlement is claimed or when their funding details change

Part 1 - Parent or Carer Funding Claim Form (PDF, 292 KB)

PDF Template -

Part 2 - Parent / Carer Funding Claim Form (PDF, 215 KB)

Part 3a - Parent / Carer Funding Claim Form - Autumn Start (PDF, 231 KB)

Part 3b - Parent / Carer Funding Claim Form - Spring Start (PDF, 233 KB)

Part 3c - Parent / Carer Funding Claim Form - Summer Start (PDF, 233 KB)

Word Template -

Part 2 - Parent or Carer Funding Claim Form (Word doc, 234 KB)

Part 3a - Parent / Carer Funding Claim Form - Autumn Start (Word doc, 212 KB)

Part 3b - Parent / Carer Funding Claim Form - Spring Start (Word doc, 212 KB)

Part 3c - Parent / Carer Funding Claim Form - Summer Start (Word doc, 213 KB)

Ready Steady Go for Funded Childcare - These help families to navigate the pathway to the correct entitlement for the age of their child and eligibility.

Ready Steady Go - SPRING VERSION (PDF, 158 KB)

Ready Steady Go - SUMMER VERSION (PDF, 157 KB)

Ready Steady Go - AUTUMN VERSION (PDF, 158 KB)