The agreement details the requirements and expectations that schools and academies must meet in order to be eligible to deliver free early education entitlements for two, three and four year-olds and draw down the subsequent funding.
It covers the following:
- The 15 hour entitlement for the most disadvantaged two-year-olds
- The 15 hour entitlement for parents of three and four-year-olds (the universal entitlement)
- The 30 hours entitlement for working parents of three and four-year-olds (the extended entitlement)
Funding agreement document
- Annex A: Parent declaration form for the Free Entitlements
- Annex B: Business Planning processes
- Schools free entitlement funding agreement
Guidance and legislation
- Claiming Disability Living Allowance for children
- Early Years entitlements; operational guidance January 2026
- Childcare Act 2006
- Childcare Act 2016
- Data Protection Act 1998
- Equality Act 2010
- Help in the early years if you are concerned about your child