Last updated:
17th April 2024
2 year olds childcare funding
Supported 2 year old funding
If your child is eligible, you can start claiming after they turn 2. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.
- 1 January and 31 March can claim from the term beginning on 1 April
- 1 April and 31 August can claim from the term beginning on 1 September
- 1 September and 31 December from the term beginning on 1 January
Eligibility
You might be eligible if any of the below apply to you:
- Claiming universal credit and have a total family annual income from work of less than £15,400
- Claiming income support
- Claiming income based jobseekers allowance
- Claiming income based employment and support allowance
- Claiming child tax credit (but not entitled to working tax credit) with an annual income of less than £16,190
- Claiming the guarantee element of state pension credit
- Receive support under part 5 of the immigration and asylum act 1999
- Claiming working tax credit with an annual income of less than £16,190
- Caring for a child with a statement of special education needs or an education, health and care plan
- Claiming disability living allowance on behalf of my child
- Caring for a child who is 'looked after' by the local authority
- Caring for a child who has left care through special guardianship or an adoption/ residence order
How to apply
You can apply by completing our online form:
Where can I use the free hours?
Free early learning is available at a variety of settings. These include nursery classes in maintained schools, maintained nursery schools, pre-school groups, private nursery schools, private nurseries, voluntary sector nurseries and independent schools.
Search the community directory for childcare services who provide 2 year old funded places:
Further details of the scheme can be found on the UK Government website
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