ℹ️ We’ve collated this information based on publicly available data and will review this article regularly.
🎯 Overview of Entitlements
Hertfordshire County Council offers funded early education entitlements for children aged 9 months to 4 years. The following entitlements are available:
Age Group | Entitlement Type | Max Hours per Year | Max Hours per Week |
9-23 Month olds | Working Parent Entitlement | 1140 | 30 |
2-Year-Olds | Receiving additional government support | 570 | 15 |
2-Year-Olds | Working Parent Entitlement | 1140 | 30 |
3 & 4-Year-Olds | Universal Entitlement | 570 | 15 |
3 & 4-Year-Olds | Extended (Working Parent) | +570 | +15 |
👶 Eligibility & Types of Funding
Children can start using funding the term after they turn the relevant age. Here are the eligible date of birth ranges for the current and upcoming terms:
Term | 9 - 23 month olds | 2 year olds | 3 - 4 year olds | School eligible 4 year olds |
Autumn 2025 | 01/09/2023 to 30/11/2024 | 01/09/2022 to 31/08/2023 | 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 | 01/09/2020 to 31/08/2021 |
Spring 2026 | 01/01/2024 to 31/03/2025 | 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023 | 01/09/2021 to 31/12/2022 | 01/01/2021 to 31/08/2021 |
Summer 2026 | 01/04/2024 to 30/06/2025 | 01/04/2023 to 31/03/2024 | 01/09/2021 to 31/03/2023 | 01/04/2021 to 31/08/2021 |
Eligibility & Application Process
Process depends on age and household income
Parents should use the Best Start in Life eligibility checker
For full eligibility criteria and links to apply, see our Eligibility article here
For 2 year olds receiving additional government support, see eligibility and application form on the Hertfordshire website here
📝 How to Register for Funding
How to apply
Complete the registration form on this link
How long does registration take?
Hertfordshire County Council say if your application is successful, you will receive a confirmation email to the email address provided within one week of them receiving it.
Bank details
Provide the bank details on the BACS form as linked to your unique funding account in your tiney app under Business settings > Local authority funding.
🏦 Funding Rates
Funding rates (effective April 2025)
Age Group | Entitlement Type | Base Hourly Rate |
9-23 Month olds | Working Parent Entitlement | £11.65 |
2-Year-Olds | Free For Two (Disadvantaged) | £8.50 |
2-Year-Olds | Working Parent Entitlement | £8.50 |
3 & 4-Year-Olds | Universal Entitlement | £6.00 |
3 & 4-Year-Olds | Extended (Working Parent) | £6.00 |
3 & 4-Year-Olds | Deprivation Supplements | £ variable based on eligibility |
All | EYPP (capped at 15 hours) | £1.00 |
📅 Term Dates & Key Dates
See Hertfordshire's Early Years Funding return schedule for the financial year 2025-2026 here
Term dates and funded weeks
Term Dates and Funded Weeks
Term Dates and Funded Weeks
Term | Full term dates | Funded Weeks (Term-Time Only) | Funded Weeks (Stretched) | Headcount Week |
Autumn 2025 | 01/09/2025 - 31/12/2025 | 14 | Up to 17 (52 weeks) | 01/09/2025 - 18/09/2025 |
Spring 2026 | 01/01/2026 - 31/03/2026 | 11 | Up to 13 (52 weeks) | 05/01/2026 - 15/01/2026 |
Summer 2026 | - | - | - | - |
Headcount Week
Headcount Week
The term's funding is based on the funding return. In order to submit a claim for the term, providers must be open and offer funding during the designated funding return timeframe.
Child attendance is required. Children should attend for their full funded hours during the funding return period unless they are ill or on holiday.
Keep evidence. Providers must keep evidence of illness or holiday, such as an email or text from the parent, for compliance.
Pre-return generates initial payment. Hertfordshire requires providers to complete a pre-return (estimate) before each term to receive an initial monthly payment. This must be submitted during the pre-return window (see funding dates).
Monthly payments are calculated from the funding return. When you submit your funding return, the initial pre-return payment is deducted from the total value, and the remaining amount is divided into equal monthly payments across the funding period months.
Adjustment returns allow for changes. Providers can submit adjustment returns during the designated windows to account for joiners, leavers, or changes in attendance, including progress data.
Contact the LA for queries. If you have questions about children leaving, changes to claims, or monthly payments, email earlyyears@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
View payment details in the portal. You can view the impact of your return and payment schedules in the finance section of the Early Years Portal at any time.
How to claim for a stretched placement
How to claim for a stretched placement
Hertfordshire support stretching up to 52 weeks a year. Hertfordshire have issued guidance on offering stretched funding which is available here, this includes guidance on how to submit these in the portal.
📤 Headcount Submissions/Funding return
Headcount submissions are required termly. There are three main headcount types each term:
Funding pre return (estimate)
Funding return (actual)
Funding return adjustment (amendment)
For details on your scheduled payments please refer to the “Finance section” available under “Funding returns” in the Early Years Portal.
Headcount dates
Autumn 2025
Autumn 2025
Task Type | Task opens | Task closes | Payment viewable in the portal |
Pre-return (Estimate) | 14/07/2025 | 07/08/2025 | 11/08/2025 |
Funding return (Headcount) | 01/09/2025 | 18/09/2025 | - |
Adjustment return | 03/11/2025 | 02/12/2025 | - |
The first monthly payment is viewable after the pre-return closes. Specific payment dates for subsequent months and for the funding return/adjustment submissions are available in the Finance section of the Early Years Portal.
Spring 2026
Spring 2026
Task Type | Task opens | Task closes | Payment viewable in the portal |
Pre-return (Estimate) | 08/12/2025 | 18/12/2025 | 22/12/2025 |
Funding return (Headcount) | 05/01/2026 | 15/01/2026 | - |
Adjustment return | 09/02/2026 | 03/03/2026 | - |
The first monthly payment is viewable after the pre-return closes. Specific payment dates for subsequent months and for the funding return/adjustment submissions are available in the Finance section of the Early Years Portal.
Summer 2026
Summer 2026
Dates not yet available
💷 Payments
Payment dates are listed on the Funding return schedule on the Hertfordshire website here. For details on your own scheduled payments, please check the 'Finance section' available under 'Funding returns' in the Early Years Portal.
Payments will be made based on which funding return tasks are completed, and the number of children claimed in them.
📚 Key Documents & Guidance
Provider agreement from April 2025: here
Early Education and Childcare Entitlement Handbook 2025: here
Parent declaration form: here
🔗 Links & Contacts
Contact type | Email Address |
Early Years Team |