Introduction to Early Education funding
Early Education Funding
Existing funding offers
| 3 and 4 year olds | 3 and 4 year olds (working families) | 2 year olds (working families) | 2 year olds | 9 month to 2 year olds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entitlement | 15 hours per week* | 30 hours per week* | 15 hours per week* | 15 hours per week* | 30 hours per week* |
| Criteria | All families, no criteria applies | Eligible working families (15 & 30 hours support | Best Start in Life) | Eligible working families (15 & 30 hours support | Best Start in Life) | Families in receipt of some forms of government support (Free early education for 2-year-olds – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council) | Eligible working families (15 & 30 hours support | Best Start in Life) |
*30 hours a week for 38 weeks per year
Upcoming changes
- September 2025 – The entitlement for eligible working families increases to 30 funded hours per week from the term after their child turns 9 months.
Eligibility dates
| Child’s date of birth (dates inclusive) | Eligible 2 year olds | All 3 and 4 year olds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April – 31 August | From start of term following 1 September after their 2nd Birthday | From start of term following 1 September after their 3rd Birthday |
| 1 September – 31 December | From start of term following 1 January after their 2nd Birthday | From start of term following 1 January after their 3rd Birthday |
| 1 January – 31 March | From start of term following 1 April after their 2nd Birthday | From start of term following 1 April after their 3rd Birthday |
| Child’s date of birth (dates inclusive) | Eligible 9 month – 2 year olds (From September 2024) |
|---|---|
| 1 September – 30 November | From start of term following 1 September after they are 9 months old |
| 1 January – 31 March | From start of term following 1 January after they are 9 months old |
| 1 April – 30 June | From start of term following 1 April after they are 9 months old |
Early Education Funding ends at entry to a full time school place or by the term in which the child is five year old.
How to register to deliver early education funding
If you are a registered childcare provider in Rotherham you may be able to offer funded early education places and claim funding on behalf of parents by contracting with us. If not already registered to deliver Early Education Funding, childcare providers can apply via the following application forms:
You can find out more about delivering Early Education Funding by reading the Early Education Funding Agreement for Under 2’s, 2, 3 and 4 year olds. Read the Early Education Funding Agreement for Under 2s, 2, 3 and 4 year olds.
