Early Years and childcare

Includes entitlements, the support available and the latest childcare news

In this section

Finding childcare

Help to find the right childcare

Paying for childcare

Help with the cost of childcare including 2 year old funding and 3 and 4 year old funding

Early years information for families

Information to help parents and families access Early Years services

Pages in Early years information for families

Funding for 2 year olds

Families with 2-year-old children who meet the criteria can apply for funding for 2 year olds

30 hours extended entitlement

Working parents of three and four year olds will need to meet the criteria to be eligible for up to 30 hours a week funded childcare

Home Learning Support for Parents

Information that can help you in supporting your child’s development at home.

Early Years entitlement for parents

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of funded early education or childcare a week

Early Years pupil premium information for parents

Information on the criteria and how to apply for the pupil premium

Early Years information for childcare providers

Information for businesses and individuals to help them provide good childcare services and settings

Complain about an Early Years or childcare provider

All early years settings (including childminders) must have a complaints procedure

Childcare Sufficiency Assessment

Childcare Sufficiency looks at the supply and demand of childcare in Somerset

Pages in Early Years information for childcare providers

Coronavirus – Updates for Early Years

Information for Early Years staff and parents

Early Years training and resources

Training opportunities through workshops for providers across a range of topics

Early Years contact information

Helpful local authority contact information for providers working in Early Years.

Starting a childcare business

Advice and suggestions to help you start up your own childcare business, including Childminders, Nurseries, Pre-schools, Holiday Clubs and After School Care

Working with children

Includes information on how to advertise or apply for an Early Years job vacancy

Representation for providers

How childcare providers are represented at decision-making bodies and how providers' voices can be heard

Early Years entitlement information for providers

All 3 and 4 years olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early years entitlement, or nursery funding, a week

Early Years pupil premium information for providers

Information on the pupil premium and qualifying criteria

Funding for 2 year olds, information for providers

Families with 2 year old children can apply for funding

Disability Access Fund

Money that is available to a nominated childcare provider once a year

30 hours funded childcare – Provider Information

Early years entitlement for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds - information and updates to help providers

Early Years Foundation Stage

The new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is mandatory for all early years providers

Promoting Equality and Diversity in Early Years

English as an Additional Language, racial incidents and Special Educational Needs