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

Changing your child's setting

The funded hours are allocated on a termly basis. If you wish to move your child to a different childcare setting, you will need to give notice to your current setting by the end of the 3rd week of term to guarantee a transfer of funding.

If you wish to transfer your child to a different setting after this date, please contact your local Family Hub for support.

Before requesting a change in childcare setting, you should discuss any required notice periods with your child’s current setting. 

If a transfer takes place, the funded hours cannot be used to cover the cost of any notice period.

Find your local Family Hub

Holiday and absent periods

If your child is accessing their funded hours over more than 38 weeks (stretched), you should not be charged during the holiday periods unless your child is accessing additional hours or services.

If your child is accessing their funded hours on a ‘term-time only’ basis and you do not wish to access paid for hours over the holidays, your childcare provider may not be able to guarantee your child’s place for the following term. You may be offered the option of paying a retainer to secure the place. This should be discussed with your child’s setting.

You are not able to claim back any funded hours that you child has been unable to attend. This includes illness, holidays, or any other absence. The funded hours will be used to keep your child’s place open until their return.

Lunchtimes 

The funded place can be taken over a lunch break if this is offered by your childcare setting. Your setting may offer a meal at an additional cost, or you may be able to take a packed lunch; this should be discussed with your childcare setting before taking up the place.

Additional hours

You cannot be charged a registration fee if your child only accesses the funded hours. If using additional hours or services, you may be charged a registration fee, this should be discussed with your childcare setting.

If you are booking your child’s place in advance, you may be charged a refundable deposit to secure the place. This must be refunded to you by the end of the first term in which your child accesses funded hours.

Entitlement to benefits

Accessing your child’s free entitlement should not have a negative impact on your financial status, however it may reduce the amount of money you receive towards your childcare costs.

Check benefits and financial support you can get (GOV.UK)