Childcare funding for two-year-olds

Funded* childcare places are available for children aged two for 15 hours a week, 38 weeks of the year (term-time), from the term after their second birthday.

Your 2-year-old may be eligible for funded early learning if you live in England and 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 (excluding benefit payments)
  
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  

Taking up the 15 hours early learning offer will not affect your benefits.

2-year-olds may also qualify for funded childcare if they:

• Are looked after by a local authority
  
• Have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
  
• Receive Disability Living Allowance
  
• Have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order, or a child arrangements order

*Funded means paid for by the government. Funding covers the cost of childcare and early learning only and does not cover the cost of meals, nappies, additional hours or additional activities, such as trips.