All 3 to 4 year old children are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week, which is a total of 570 hours per year. These 15 hours are known as the 'universal hours'.

Children will continue to be entitled to these universal funded hours until either the end of the term in which they become five years of age or until they start in a maintained, academy or free school reception class.

These hours can be used in many different ways such as 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year, or less hours per week for more than 38 weeks of the year. Your childcare setting will have more information about what they can provide. 

Some children are entitled to an additional 15 hours per week which is known as 'Childcare Support' or the 'Working Families entitlement'. 

To claim your child's funded hours you will need to complete a Parent Declaration Form, which will be given to you by your chosen childcare setting, this confirms the total number of hours that your child is attending per week.

You will need to provide proof of your child's date of birth to your chosen childcare setting before accessing their funded place.

Your child's setting can choose how they offer the early years funded entitlement. Please discuss your requirements with each setting before completing this form to ensure that what they offer meets your needs.

The childcare settings must be registered with Worcestershire County Council to offer funded hours and include:

• pre-schools
• day nurseries
• school nurseries
• independent (private) schools
• funded childminders
• wrap around care

If your child attends two or more registered settings, you must complete a Parent Declaration Form for both settings, which must contain accurate information about the number of hours your child attends at each.

Search for settings that offer funded places