What is it?
Your 2-year-old can get funded early learning and childcare if you live in England and receive some benefits or additional forms of government support.
Eligible children can get up to 15 hours per week of funded early learning and childcare for 38 weeks of the year. This works out at up to 570 hours of funded early learning and childcare per year. Usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year, though some providers will allow you to use fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year.
How to Apply?
Nottinghamshire County Council residents
Apply online on the citizen's portal for Nottinghamshire County Council (opens in new tab) or telephone 0300 500 8080 to speak to an advisor at the Customer Service Centre.
Nottingham City Council residents
Apply online on the citizen's portal for Nottingham City Council (opens in new tab) or telephone 0115 8765910 to speak to the Families Information Service.
Is it for me?
Your 2-year-old can get 15 hours funded early learning and childcare if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Your benefits will not be affected if you take up the Early Learning for 2 year olds offer.
2-year-olds can also get funded childcare if they:
- are looked after by a local authority
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- get Disability Living Allowance
- have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
If you are a working parent of children 9 months to 4 years old, you may instead be entitled to 30 hours childcare funding for working families.
Find out how 2 year funded childcare has made a difference for one family in Nottinghamshire in this 29sec YouTube video
When can I apply, and when will the funding start?
| If your child turns 2 between | They will be entitled to start from | Recommended time to apply |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January to 31 March | 1 April (Summer term) | January to March |
| 1 April to 31 August | 1 September (Autumn term) | Mid-May to August |
| 1 September to 31 December | 1 January (Spring term) | October to December |
Please note: the application system will not allow you to apply until your child is 1 year and 9 months old.
You will need to apply and have confirmation of eligibility before you can claim the funded hours.
Where can I use the funding?
Places are available at a range of early years settings including nursery schools and classes, day nurseries, pre-school playgroups and childminders.
You can find a provider near you on our Find Childcare page
Do I have to pay anything?
The Government funding is intended to pay for 15 hours a week of high quality, flexible childcare. The 15 hours must be able to be accessed free of charge to parents.
The funding does not cover the costs of
- meals
- consumables, such as nappies or sun-cream
- additional hours
- additional activities, such as trips
You may be asked to pay for these things. However, these charges must not be mandatory, or a condition of accessing a funded place and you can speak to your provider about what alternative options they may have.
Non-UK citizens
If your immigration status says you have ‘no recourse to public funds’, you may still get funded childcare for your 2-year-old. You must live in England and your household income must be no more than:
- £26,500 for families outside of London with one child
- £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.
If you are an Asylum Seeker and have a Port Reference Number or an Application Registration Card (ARC), you may be eligible for a funded place for your child under the NRPF criteria.
How do I find out more information?
Find out more on the Government's Best Start in Life parent hub
How to check if you are eligible in Nottinghamshire County?
To check eligibility for funding visit Funded 2 year old places for families receiving some additional forms of financial support (Nottinghamshire County Council)