ℹ️ We’ve collated this information based on publicly available data and will review this article regularly.
🎯 Overview of Entitlements
Southend-on-Sea 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 | Free early education Entitlement | 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 free early education funding, see eligibility here and application form on the Southend citizen portal
📝 How to Register for Funding
How to apply
Email earlyyears@southend.gov.uk informing them they’re a childminder registered with tiney, and would like to offer funded placements.
Bank details
Provide the bank details 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 | £11.52 |
2-Year-Olds | Free early education Entitlement (Disadvantaged) | £8.86 |
2-Year-Olds | Working Parent Entitlement | £8.47 |
3 & 4-Year-Olds | Universal Entitlement | £5.83 |
3 & 4-Year-Olds | Extended (Working Parent) | £5.83 |
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
Funding dates can be found here
Term | Full term dates | Funded Weeks (Term-Time Only) |
Autumn 2025 | 01/09/2025 - 31/12/2025 | 14 |
Spring 2026 | 01/01/2026 - 31/03/2026 | 11 |
Summer 2026 | 01/04/2026 - 31/08/2026 | 13 |
Headcount Weeks and Payment Dates
Headcount Weeks and Payment Dates
Headcount dates are released termly
Term | Estimate | Actual | Amendment |
Summer 2026 | 16/03/2025 - 23/03/2025 | 18/05/2026 - 21/05/2026 | 15/06/2026 - 22/06/2026 |
Payments are made monthly
Month | Payment date |
September | 22/09/2025 |
October | 27/10/2025 |
November | 24/11/2025 |
December | 15/12/2025 |
January | 26/01/2026 |
February | 23/02/2026 |
March | 23/03/2026 |
April | 20/04/2026 |
May | 25/05/2026 |
June | 22/06/2026 |
July | 27/07/2026 |
August | 24/08/2026 |
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.
Estimate generates first monthly payment. Southend-on-Sea requires providers to complete an estimate before each term to receive an initial payment. This must be submitted during the estimate window (see funding dates).
Monthly payments are calculated from the actual headcount.
Amendments allow for changes. Providers can submit amendments during the designated windows to account for joiners, leavers, or changes in attendance, including progress data. Final monthly payment is calculated from the amendment
Contact the LA for queries. If you have questions about children leaving, changes to claims, or monthly payments, email earlyyears@southend.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
Parent declaration form: Here
Provider agreement for 2025: Here
🔗 Links & Contacts
Contact type | Email Address |
Early Years Team |