• 2-year-olds

Some 2-year-olds in England can get free early education and childcare.

You must be getting one of the following:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
• Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit and have an annual income under £16,190
• the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Universal Credit

Children are also entitled to a place if:

• they’re looked after by a local council
• they have a current statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education health and care plan
• they get Disability Living Allowance
• they’ve left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order
• if their working parent meets the criteria for free childcare. Please click here for eligibility.

If your child is eligible, you can start claiming the term after they turn 2. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.

 

Child’s birthday	When you can claim
1 January to 31 March	the beginning of term on or after 1 April
1 April to 31 August	the beginning of term on or after 1 September
1 September to 31 December	the beginning of term on or after 1 January

 

Click here to check if your child is eligible.

If you work and your child is 2 years old, you may be able to get 15 hours free childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year (during school term time).  Please click here for eligibility.

NB: You have to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. If you do not do this you may incur fees.

 

Child’s birthday	When they can get their hours from	When to apply
1 January to 31 March	Term starting on or after 1 April	15 January to 28 February
1 April to 31 August	Term starting on or after 1 September	15 June to 31 July
1 September to 31 December	Term starting on or after 1 January	15 October to 30 November