Funded places for two year olds
Your child may be eligible for a funded place for two year olds if they meet the following criteria:
Your child may also be eligible if you are in receipt of certain benefits, or meet the additional criteria.
You can apply online via our Citizen Portal, via your Health Visitor/Family Worker, or through an approved childcare provider.
Funded places for three and four year olds
Every child aged three and four is eligible to access up to 570 hours of free early education per year, 15 hours term time or stretched over the year.
Details of approved childcare providers can be found on our online childcare directory.
Working parents entitlement
Some children aged from nine months to school age may be eligible for a 15 or 30 hours place. The funding is to support working parents. Take a look at Childcare Choices for more details about the criteria and application process.
We have put together some 'things to remember' when going through and following the application process. Childcare Choices have also put together some answers to common questions people have about the 15 and 30 hours childcare support.
Please be aware that you will not be charged for the funded hours, but any additional hours or services (food, trips) that your child receives may be charged for.
Find out more about Ofsted's role in regulating childcare.
Extra help
Please let us know if you can’t find the childcare that you are looking for by emailing families@bolton.gov.uk, with details of the area that you are looking for and the age of your child/children. If you want to talk through your personal circumstances, please ring our helpline on 01204 332170.
