Early education funding and childcare for under fives

All children are eligible to receive some funded early education and childcare before they start school. There are different schemes available depending on your circumstances.

Working families

Families that are working and meet specific criteria can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare from the term after their child turns 9 months old until they start school. 

Funded childcare for under fives - Working families

2 year old funded childcare

If you do not meet the criteria for the working families scheme then you could access up to 15 hours of funded childcare per week under the benefits-related criteria (Additional Government support).

If you meet the criteria for both the 2 year old funded childcare scheme and the working families scheme, you would be able to have 15 hours per week under each scheme totalling 30 hours of funded childcare. 

2 year old funded childcare (Benefits-related/child specific)

Funded childcare for under fives (Working families)

3 and 4 year old funded childcare

All 3 and 4 year old children qualify for up to 15 hours per week of universal funded childcare. If you qualify for the working families scheme then you can apply to HMRC for up to an extra 15 hours funded childcare per week. 

3 and 4 year old funded childcare (All children)

Funded childcare for under fives (Working families)

Funded childcare for children in foster care

Children who are in foster and aged from 9 months up to school age may be eligible for up to 30 hours per week of early education funding, if their foster carer/s meet set eligibility criteria. 

Funded childcare for working foster carers 

If you are a foster carer and are not sure if you would qualify for the funded childcare for working foster carers scheme, please contact our Family Information Service on 0800 389 8667 or email familyinfo@solihull.gov.uk.