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All 3 and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 570 hours of free early education or childcare a year. This is often taken as 15 hours each week for 38 weeks of the year. Some 2-year-olds are also eligible.

You can start claiming after your child turns 3. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.

 

Child’s birthdayWhen you can claim

•  

• 1 January to 31 Marchthe beginning of term on or after 1 April

• 1 April to 31 Augustthe beginning of term on or after 1 September

• 1 September to 31 Decemberthe beginning of term on or after 1 January