Support from our team
If you need help finding a childcare provider, or have any questions about any aspect of early education and childcare, you can contact Bradford Council’s friendly Early Education and Childcare team.
Three and four-year-olds
Who receives the funding?
All parents of children aged three to four in England are entitled to 15 hours funded early education and childcare from the term after their child turns three.
This will be either on 1 January, 1 April or 1 September.
What help will I receive?
The hours are usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. You can choose to take fewer hours over more weeks, if your childcare provider offers this option.
Do I need to apply?
You don't need to apply for funding, find your preferred childcare provider in your local area and they will support you to access your child's place.
Extra help
If you work and have a child aged between 9 months and 4 years you may be able to get extra 15 hours funded childcare from September 2025. Please visit our Help For working families page to find out more and see if you may qualify.
Do you know about Disability Access Funding?
There is funding available for your chosen early education and childcare provider to support your child, if they have a disability or special educational needs. To find our more click on the button below