Early education funding and childcare for under fives

In this section:

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 month 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 2024. This scheme is for working families who meet specific criteria.

You could be eligible for 15hrs of funded early education and childcare a week if you work the equivalent of 16hrs per week at minimum living wage.

You can check your eligibility and apply via HMRC.

You have to apply to HMRC by their strict cut off dates the term before you take up your place.

 

2 year old funded childcare

There are 2 schemes of funded childcare for 2 year old's. If you are eligible you will only qualify for one; some may not qualify for either.

You could be eligible for 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week if:

  • You are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits
  • Your child meets one of the child specific criteria including being in receipt of DLA, having an EHCP or being a Looked after Child or having left care through an order.

You can check your eligibility and apply via Solihull Council here.

You could be eligible for 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week if you work the equivalent of 16hrs per week at minimum living wage.

You can check your eligibility and apply via HMRC here.

You have to apply to HMRC by their strict cut off dates the term before you take up your place.

3 and 4 year old funded childcare

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

All children are eligible for 15hrs funded early education and childcare from the term after their third birthday. You do not need to apply for this funding you can book a place directly with your chosen childcare provider.

You can view further information on these universal funded hours here.

You could be eligible for an additional 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week making your total funded hours up to 30 hours if you work the equivalent of 16hrs per week at minimum living wage.

You can check your eligibility and apply via HMRC here.

You have to apply to HMRC by their strict cut off dates the term before you take up your place.

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.

You could be eligible for 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week if:

  • The child is aged 9 months to 2 years old
  • You work some hours over and above your fostering role
  • The child’s social worker agrees that accessing these funded hours are consistent with the child’s care plan

You can check your eligibility and apply via Solihull Council here. 

You have to apply to Solihull Council by our termly cut off dates the term before you take up your place.
 

You could be eligible for 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week if your child is a looked after child or has left care through an order.

You can check your eligibility and apply via Solihull Council here.
 

All children are eligible for 15hrs funded early education and childcare from the term after their third birthday. You do not need to apply for this funding you can book a place directly with your chosen childcare provider.

You can view further information on these universal funded hours here.
 

You could be eligible for an additional 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week making your total funded hours up to 30 hours if:

  • The child is aged 3 or 4 years old
  • You work some hours over and above your fostering role
  • The child’s social worker agrees that accessing these funded hours are consistent with the child’s care plan

You can check your eligibility and apply via Solihull Council here.

You have to apply to Solihull Council by our termly cut off dates the term before you take up your place.
 

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