We will fund part-time early years entitlement places for three and four year olds starting from the funding period after the child’s third birthday. This is called the universal entitlement.

 The Early Years Entitlement can be claimed at:

• a day nursery
• a pre-school or playgroup
• an independent school
• a children’s centre nursery
• a maintained nursery
• a reception class in a primary or infant school
• a foundation stage unit and academy
• with an approved childminder

The provider must agree to abide by the terms and conditions in the Somerset Local Provider Agreement to offer the early years entitlement.

Providers must be on either the Ofsted Early Years Register, Ofsted Schools Register or inspected under the Independent Schools Inspectorate and follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) learning and development and welfare requirements;

Applying for the funding

The parents’ and carers’ chosen provider will claim on their behalf and we will pay the money directly to the provider. Parents and carers must check with their provider that they are registered to offer the Early Years Entitlement.

From each provider, we will require you to send us:

• a copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport with a signed Child Registration Form
• a completed and signed Parent’s Declaration Form to claim the funding

These will be submitted by the provider. If a birth certificate or passport is not available from the parent or carer, other forms of legal documentation may be accepted. Please contact the Entitlements Team for clarification. If these documents are not submitted, the Early Years Entitlement will not be paid and the parent may be charged for the hours their child has accessed.

How much funding is my child entitled to?

The Early Years Entitlement gives your child a maximum of 570 hours each year. This will start the funding period after your child's third birthday and will last for 3 funding periods (equivalent to one year). 

The maximum entitlement that can be claimed is 15 hours per week. 

The minimum that can be claimed per day is 2.5 hours and the maximum per day is 10 hours. After the first 2.5 hours, the Early Years Entitlement can only be claimed for part hours in blocks of 15 minutes. 

The next entitlement year, (starting the funding period after your child's fourth birthday) your child will receive another automatic allocation of 570 hours which will also last for another 3 funding periods. 

All three and four year olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of funded early education or childcare a week, for up to 38 weeks a year, or 570 hours a year if ‘stretched’ from the funding period after they become 3 years old. This is known as the ‘universal entitlement’.

The government has extended this entitlement to 30 hours a week (for up to 38 weeks a year). In Somerset, families can ‘stretch’ this entitlement to a maximum of 1140 hours a year. This is known as the ‘extended entitlement’.

Eligibility for the extended entitlement

Working* parents of three and four year olds will need to meet the following criteria to be eligible for up to 30 hours a week funded childcare:

• Each earns or expects to earn the equivalent to 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage over the coming three months.

This means you don’t have to actually work 16 hours a week but earn at least the equivalent wage rates.

How to apply 

There is an online form which can be completed using the ‘Apply here’ button below.

You must apply for the extended entitlement hours through Childcare choices or by calling 0300 123 4097 if you do not have access to the internet.

If you have any problems applying for the extended entitlement please ring the HMRC Helpline on 0300 123 4097.

'Apply Here'

What to do if you are successful

If you are successful, you will receive an 11 digit code to take directly to a participating childcare provider. They will need your:

• 11 digit eligibility code (begins with 500)
• child’s legal name and correct date of birth (please take birth certificate if possible)
• parent name and their National Insurance Number

They will then gain your written permission to verify the code with the Local Authority. Once the code is verified, a place can be confirmed for the funding period after your child becomes 3 years old.

Please present your code to all providers that you are accessing your universal and extended hours funding with. They will ask you to complete a parent’s declaration form to indicate who you are claiming the universal hours with, and the extended hours with. Please keep your copy for your records