{"id":816,"date":"2015-03-24T10:20:26","date_gmt":"2015-03-24T10:20:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/beta.devon.gov.uk\/educationandchildren\/?page_id=816"},"modified":"2026-01-08T13:46:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T13:46:47","slug":"free-childcare-3-4-year-olds","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/early-years-and-childcare\/help-with-paying-for-childcare\/free-childcare-3-4-year-olds\/","title":{"rendered":"Funded care and education for three and four-year-olds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From the term after their third birthday, until they start school, your child is entitled to up to 570 hours of funded early learning and childcare each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is often taken as 15 hours per week for 38 weeks a year during school term time, although some childcare providers may allow you to use fewer hours per week, for more weeks of the year (known as a ‘stretched offer’). The hours can take place in nurseries (including school nursery classes), pre-schools, playgroups or at certain childminders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funded time can be taken between 6am and 8pm, for a maximum of 10 hours a day and at no more than 2 sites in a single day. There is no minimum amount of time that must be attended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What should I do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Check the table below to see when your child is eligible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Child born between<\/th>Entitled from<\/th><\/tr>
1 April and 31 August<\/td>Start of Autumn funding period (from 1st September)<\/td><\/tr>
1 September and 31 December<\/td>Start of Spring funding period (from 1st January)<\/td><\/tr>
1 January and 31 March<\/td>Start of Summer funding period (from 1st April)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you are already using childcare make sure you speak to your provider to ensure that you are using all the hours you need and are entitled to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re not already using childcare:<\/p>\n\n\n\n