Introduction
In the Spring Budget of 2023, the Chancellor announced a package of childcare reforms designed to enable more parents to work. This included an extension of funded early years childcare hours to children of eligible working parents from the funding period after they turn 9-months-old. The budget also included the ambition that by 2026, all parents and carers of primary school-aged children who need it, will be able to access term time childcare in their local area from 8am to 6pm.
Somerset Council has a statutory duty to ensure there are high quality, sufficient and sustainable childcare places to enable parents and carers to work.
Early Years entitlement expansion
The expansion of the Early Years Entitlement will offer up to 30 funded hours of childcare per week over 38 weeks of the year for eligible children from the funding period after they turn 9-months-old.
The expansion will be rolled out in phases as follows:
- from April 2024 – 15 hours a week offered to eligible children aged 2 years old
- from September 2024 – 15 hours a week offered to eligible children aged from 9 months old
- From September 2025 – the offer will be increased to 30 hours a week for eligible children
Early years providers interested in expanding their provision for children aged 2-years- old and under can apply for grant funding to support the expansion.
To apply for a capital grant, find out more about the application process or criteria for both capital and small revenue grants, please contact educationplaces@somerset.gov.uk. A limited number of small revenue grants are available.
Early Years Expansion Lead Contact
Julia Balmford
Senior Officer Education and Childcare Places
Email julia.balmford@somerset.gov.uk
Phone 01823 355828
Wraparound Care
In March 2023, the Government announced through the Spring Budget its ambition that by September 2026, all parents and carers of primary school-aged children who need it will be able to access term time childcare in their local area from 8am until 6pm (or earlier, depending on demand). Through this expansion of before and after school provision, more parents can access employment and improve labour market participation.
To support this, Somerset Council has been awarded revenue and capital funding. Capital grants have now closed, but revenue funding remains available to support start-up costs, resources, and income gaps while demand grows. Funding is open to both new and expanding provision, including schools and private, voluntary, and independent providers.
In July 2025 the Department for Education introduced flexibility around the original 6pm aspiration. Provision finishing earlier can still be funded where this better meets family needs and is backed by demand. Expansion can include additional places, longer hours, or additional days.
The programme ends in March 2026, therefore schools and providers interested in applying for funding are strongly encouraged to contact us as soon as possible.
To apply for wraparound grant funding or to find out more about the criteria and application process, please contact: educationplaces@somerset.gov.uk.
Wraparound Lead Contact
Rose Stokes
Senior Officer Education and Childcare Places
Email rose.stokes@somerset.gov.uk
Phone 01278 435578
Information and guidance
Recordings
- Update on Early Years Expansion West (24 January 2024) YouTube
- Update on Early Years Expansion East (25 January 2024)YouTube
Documents
- Wraparound and Holiday Provision Survey Summary – Autumn 2024
- Early Years Occupancy of Places Provider Survey Results – Summer 2024
- Early Years Expansion Update Sessions – Questions and answers (January 2024)
- Early Years Provider Survey Results – Autumn 2023
- Wraparound Provision – Parent Carer Survey (Autumn 2023)
- Annual Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2023
