Information and guidance about FEEE1W and FEEE2W
Changes to childcare support
From April 2024, there has been an expansion in childcare support. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.
The changes have been introduced in phases, to help providers meet the needs of more families:
- From April 2024, eligible working families have access to 15 hours of funded childcare from the term after their child turns two years old
- From September 2024, eligible working families have access to 15 hours of funded childcare from the term after their child turns nine months old
- From September 2025, eligible working families will have access to 30 hours of funded childcare from the term after their child turns nine months old
As with existing funded entitlements, depending on the individual provider, these hours can be taken over 38 weeks a year (a term time only offer), or up to 52 weeks a year, using fewer hours per week.
How do families apply?
Working families should submit their applications for funded childcare via Childcare Choices. If they are eligible, they will be given a code, usually beginning ‘50’. They must give this code to their childcare provider. It is advised that parents submit their application well in advance of the termly deadline, to allow time for it to be processed and approved.
The family’s application must be approved the term prior to claiming the funding. If the application is approved after the following deadline dates, the family will be unable to claim the funding until the following term.
Term claiming application approval deadline:
- Summer term Monday 31 March
- Autumn term Sunday 31 August
- Spring term Wednesday 31 December
We would recommend the family apply six to eight weeks in advance of the termly deadline. The family should give the code to the provider at least four to six weeks before the child is due to start, or when they reach the age that they are eligible. Parents will be required to renew their eligibility every three months via the Childcare Choices portal, so the code remains valid which means a provider can continue to receive the funding for the child.
Find out about each type of funded early education entitlement and how settings and parents can access this funding.
Support for providers offering the funded entitlements:
If you would like any further information, advice and guidance on offering the funded entitlements, or would like bespoke support on how to review what you offer, please contact the Business Management Consultants bmc@essex.gov.uk
If you are a provider that has applied for capital funding for the expansion of under three’s places, and have questions regarding your funding agreement, monitoring or project mobilisation, please email childcare.expansion@essex.gov.uk