The current offer
Supported families funding for 2 year olds
Families with 2-year-old children who claim certain benefits and meet the criteria can apply for funding for a childcare place. Somerset Council will pay for a place for up to 570 hours over a year at a registered childcare provider. For example, this could be 15 hours a week for 38 weeks or fewer hours for more weeks (15 hours is the maximum number of hours available per week). Children become eligible in the funding period after their second birthday.
2-year-olds can also get funded childcare if they:
- are looked after by the Local Authority
- have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- get Disability Living Allowance
- have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
For further information and the eligibility criteria, and to apply, visit our Funding for 2-year-olds page.
Early Years Entitlement (15 hours Universal Entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds)
All 3 and 4 year old children are eligible for up to 570 hours of funded childcare over a year, for example, 15 hours per week for 38 weeks. The offer can be ‘stretched’ so that fewer hours per week are taken over more weeks. 15 hours is the maximum number of hours available per week. Children become eligible in the funding period after their third birthday.
Information about funding for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds
Working Families Entitlement (children aged from 9 months)
Working parents of children aged from 9 months up to their third birthday can claim up to 1140 hours of funded childcare over a year, for example 30 hours a week for 38 weeks. The offer can be ‘stretched’ so that fewer hours per week are taken over more weeks. 30 hours is the maximum number of hours available per week.
Parents of children aged from 9 months will need to meet the criteria and receive a valid eligibility code to be eligible for the working families entitlement. Children become eligible in the funding period after they turn 9 months old.
Working Families Entitlement (2 year olds)
Some families will qualify for both the supported families and the working families entitlement. In this instance, families will receive 570 hours supported families entitlement and 570 hours working families entitlement per year.
Working Families Entitlement (3 and 4 year olds)
Working parents of 3 and 4 year olds can claim up to 570 hours over a year, in addition to the universal entitlement, making a total of 1140 hours a year, for example 30 hours a week for 38 weeks. The offer can be ‘stretched’ so that fewer hours per week are taken over more weeks. 30 hours is the maximum number of hours available per week.
Parents of 3 and 4 year olds will need to meet the criteria and receive a valid eligibility code to be eligible for the working families entitlement of up to 570 hours a year. Children become eligible in the funding period after their third birthday.
Apply nowFurther help with childcare costs
Check what help you could get with childcare costs
Tax Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare reduces the costs of childcare for working families of children aged 0 to 12 years – up to 17 years for children with disabilities.
Tax Credits/Universal Credits
Parents on low income can claim the childcare element of Tax Credits or Universal Credits.
If you already claim tax credits, you can add an extra amount of Working Tax Credit to help cover the cost of childcare.
You may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.
Childcare Vouchers
The Childcare Vouchers scheme is now closed to new applicants.
Care to Learn Scheme
Students under 20 who are parents could receive help with childcare costs from the Care to Learn scheme.
