Free childcare and early education places for 2, 3, and 4 year olds
All three and four-year-old children in Stoke-on-Trent - and some two-year-olds - are entitled to 15 hours of childcare and early education. Contact your chosen childcare provider to find out more.
Children are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare and education each week, usually over 38 weeks of the year during school term time. Some places may offer you fewer hours over more weeks, for example 11 hours each week over 51 weeks.
Two-year-old children must meet certain criteria to qualify.
Apply for funding and find childcare for your two-year-old
Working parents of three and four-year-olds may be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare. The criteria is available on Childcare Choices (see link on this page).
Apply for 30 hours free childcare for working parents
Free childcare and early education is usually available from the start of the term after the child's birthday.
| If your child was born between | They will be eligible for a free childcare place |
|---|---|
| January 1 and March 31 | from the beginning of the term on or after April 1 |
| April 1 and August 31 | from the beginning of the term on or after September 1 |
| September 1 and December 31 | from the beginning of the term on or after January 1 |
Places are available at places including childminders, day nurseries and pre-school play groups. Maintained nurseries, schools and academies also offer provision.