When will my child's funding start?
Enrolment week for Session 2026/27 is 17 to 21 November 2025
Please note the appliction form is currently offline for updating. The form will be avaiable again from 9am on 17 November.
Before completing the online enrolment form, please contact the provider(s) where you would like your child to attend to ensure that space is available.
Start date for funded three year old funded places
The government funding start dates are where a child's third birthday falls on or between:
- 1 March and 31 August - Children become eligible for funding from August (autumn term) occurring in that year
- 1 September and 31 December - Children become eligible for funding from January (spring term) following their birthday
- 1 January and last day February - Children become eligible for funding from April (summer term) following their birthday
Information on eligible two year old start dates can be found on our Eligible two year olds webpage.
Session 2025/26 start dates
| Age | Start date of 20/08/25 | Start date of 05/01/2026 | Start date of 20/04/26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 year old | 01/03/22 - 31/08/22 | 01/09/22 - 31/12/22 | 01/01/23 - 28/02/23 |
| 4 year old | 01/03/21 - 28/02/22 | - | - |
| Deferred entry | 21/08/2020 - 28/02/2021 | - | - |
Session 2026/27 start dates
| Age |
19/08/2026 - Autumn Term |
06/01/2027 - Spring Term | 19/04/2027 - Summer Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 year old | 01/03/23 - 31/08/23 | 01/09/23 - 31/12/2023 | 01/01/24 - 29/02/24 |
| 4 year old | 01/03/22 - 28/02/23 | - | - |
| Deferred entry | 20/08/21 - 28/02/22 | - | - |