Funded childcare for 2 year olds

Families receiving government support

If you receive any of the following benefits or you are working and on low income as detailed below:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit - if you and your partner are on a low income from work (usually a combined income of less than £15,400 a year after tax)
• guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (or both), AND your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax

you can apply for an eligibility check with us to take up a 15 hours' funded place for your two-year old.

If you’re a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits please see no recourse to public funds for more information on how to apply.

Online eligibility checker

If you do not have access to the internet you can also call our Family Information Service on 0300 123 6712.

Please see when to submit your application for more information.

Working families

Eligible working families can now get 15 hours funded childcare. You, and any partner must expect to earn:

• on average at least £183 per week from 16 hours a week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage) and
• Less than £100,000 adjusted net income per year.

If you fall into this category, get further details and claim your childcare entitlement code on the Childcare Choices website.

Apply for your code for working families

See the '15 & 30 hours childcare' section on the Childcare Choices website for further information.

You can also sign up for updates and discover other ways you could save money on your childcare costs.