Guide to funded childcare in Somerset

ℹ️ We’ve collated this information based on publicly available data and will review this article regularly.

🎯 Overview of Entitlements

Somerset 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	Supported Families Funding	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 supported families funding, see eligibility here and application form on the Somerset citizen portal

📝 How to Register for Funding

How to apply

Email eyfunding@somerset.gov.uk and tell them you are a childminder registered with tiney who would like to start offering 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 2026)

Age Group	Entitlement Type	Base Hourly Rate
9-23 Month olds	Working Parent Entitlement	£10.62
2-Year-Olds	Supported Families Funding (Disadvantaged)	£7.85
2-Year-Olds	Working Parent Entitlement	£7.85
3 & 4-Year-Olds	Universal Entitlement	£5.95
3 & 4-Year-Olds	Extended (Working Parent)	£5.95
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	Full term dates	Funded Weeks (Term-Time Only)
Autumn 2025	01/09/2025 - 31/12/2025	14
Spring 2026	05/01/2026 - 31/03/2026	11
Summer 2026	01/04/2026 - 31/08/2026	13

Headcount Weeks

Term	Actual	Amendment
Summer 2026	27/04/2026 -20/05/2026	27/04/2026 - 09/09/2026
Autumn 2026	01/12/2025 - 15/01/2026	01/02/2026 - 31/03/2026

Payment dates

Autumn 2025 - Payment is split equally into 4 monthly payments from September to December. Amendment payment is made during the January payment

Spring 2026 - Payment is split equally into 3 monthly payments from January to March. Amendment payment is made during the April payment

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.
Actual headcount generates monthly payments. Somerset requires providers to complete an actual before each term to receive an initial payment. This must be submitted during the actual window (see funding dates).
Amendments allow 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 eyfunding@somerset.gov.uk