Early education funding and childcare for under fives

All children are eligible to receive some funded early education and childcare before they start school. Some children will be able to access this from the term after they turn 9 months old, some from the term after they turn 2 years old and all from the term after they turn 3 years old.

There are different schemes available depending on your circumstances please click on the relevant scheme below to check the eligibility criteria.

9 months old funded childcare

There is a new funded childcare scheme now in place for children aged 9 months old that families can apply for ready to start in September 2025. This scheme is for working families who meet specific criteria.

Under 2's funded childcare for working families

2 year old funded childcare

There are two schemes of funded childcare for 2 year olds. If you are eligible, you could access:

• 30 hours of funded childcare under the working families criteria
• 15 hours of funded childcare under the benefits-related criteria (Additional government support)

If you meet the criteria for both schemes, you would be able to have 15 hours under each scheme totalling 30 hours of funded childcare.

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

2 year old funded childcare (Working families)

3 and 4 year old funded childcare

There are 2 schemes of funded childcare for 3 and 4 year olds. All children qualify for universal funding, some qualify for extra funded hours through the working families scheme.

3 and 4 year old funded childcare (All children)

3 and 4 year old funded childcare (Working families)

Funded childcare for children in foster care

There are schemes of funding available for children in foster care depending on the age of the child.

If you are a foster carer and are not sure if you would qualify for one of the above working families schemes, please contact our Family Information Service on 0800 389 8667 or email familyinfo@solihull.gov.uk.