ℹ️ We’ve collated this information based on publicly available data and will review this article regularly. Please always double check with your LA in case guidance has changed.
🎯 Overview of Entitlements
Oxfordshire 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 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 |
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 |
Autumn 2026 | 01/09/2024 to 31/11/2025 | 01/09/2023 to 31/08/2024 | 01/09/2022 to 31/08/2023 | 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 |
Spring 2027 | 01/01/2025 to 31/03/2026 | 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024 | 01/09/2022 to 31/12/2023 | 01/01/2022 to 31/08/2022 |
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 support, see eligibility and application form on the Oxfordshire website here
📝 How to Register for Funding
How to apply
Complete the application form and email it together with a copy of your tiney registration certificate
The application form can be found here, scroll down to section 'Application Forms'
Email to earlyeducation@oxfordshire.gov.uk
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 2026)
Age Group | Entitlement Type | Base Hourly Rate |
9-23 Month olds | Working Parent Entitlement | £11.33 |
2-Year-Olds | Free For Two (Disadvantaged) | £8.29 |
2-Year-Olds | Working Parent Entitlement | £8.29 |
3 & 4-Year-Olds | Universal Entitlement | £6.04 |
3 & 4-Year-Olds | Extended (Working Parent) | £6.04 |
3 & 4-Year-Olds | Deprivation Supplements | £ variable based on eligibility |
All | EYPP (capped at 15 hours) | £1.15 |
📅 Term Dates & Key Dates
Term Dates and Funded Weeks
Term Dates and Funded Weeks
Term | Full Term dates | Funded weeks (term time only) | Actual headcount |
Autumn 2025 | 02/09/2025 - 19/12/2025 | 15 | 24/09/2025 - 03/10/2025 |
Spring 2026 | - | - | - |
Summer 2026 | - | - | - |
Headcount Weeks and Payment Dates
Headcount Weeks and Payment Dates
Term | Estimate dates | Headcount dates | Amendment dates |
Summer 2026 | 16/03/2026- 27/03/2026 | 20/04/2026- 30/04/2026 | 18/05/2026- 17/07/2026 |
Spring 2026 | 06/07/2026- 28/08/2026 | 20/09/2026- 30/09/2026 | 18/10/2026- 17/12/2026 |
Autumn 2027 | 06/12/2026- 18/12/2026 | 11/01/2027- 21/01/2027 | 02/02/2027- 26/03/2027 |
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.
Payments are made monthly by the 8th of each month
Amendment allows for changes. Providers can submit amendments 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 earlyeducation@oxfordshire.gov.uk
📤 Headcount Submissions/Funding return
Headcount submissions are required termly. There are three main headcount types each term:
Estimate
Actual
Amendment
💷 Payments
Payments will be made based on which headcount tasks are completed, and the number of children claimed in them.
📚 Key Documents & Guidance
Provider agreement from April 2025: here
Provider handbook: here
🔗 Links & Contacts
Early years |
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