Early Years Free Entitlement (EYFE)
2 year old Funding
Some two year olds, whose families are in receipt of government support are eligible for 15
EYFE funded hours per week term-time only for 38 weeks per year.
Families can apply locally for this here: Childcare for 2 year olds - enquire about childcare support (brighton-hove.gov.uk)
3 & 4 year old funding
All three and four year olds are, from the term after their third birthday, eligible for early
years free entitlement (EYFE) funded hours 15 hours a week for 38 weeks per year (term time only). Some three
and four year olds are eligible for up to 30 funded hours a week (term-time only) this is the ‘working parent entitlement’.
Working Parent Entitlement
In the UK, working parents are entitled to 30 hours of free childcare for children aged 9 months to 4 years. This entitlement is available from the term after the child turns 9 months old until they start school. To be eligible, parents must each expect to earn a certain amount over the 3 months after applying, which is equivalent to the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week on average.
Eligibility is calculated on an individual basis, meaning that if a parent has a partner who lives with them, they must both individually earn between the required amounts. There are exceptions for couples claiming certain benefits. Parents can apply for a code to access their entitlement.
The eligibility code must be validated every three months to ensure the details are up to date and that the parent remains eligible for the childcare entitlements.