Children aged 2 are eligible if they are old enough, and if they meet any one of the below requirements.
Either the family is eligible for:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit, with annual earned income under £15,400 after tax (this is your take-home pay and does not include state benefits)
- Working Tax Credit and/or Child Tax Credit, with an annual income under £16,190 before tax (gross earnings)
- the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on, which is the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Or the child:
- is looked after by a local council
- has a current statement of special educational needs (SEN) or an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- is getting Disability Living Allowance
- has left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order
If you are a non- UK citizen who cannot claim benefits
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
- £34,500 for families within London with one child
- £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
- £38,600 for families within London with two or more children
You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.
When to apply
You can apply 10 weeks before the end of the term in which your child turns 2.
| Child's 2nd birthday | Apply from | Start from |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April to 31 August | 23 June | 1 September |
| 1 September to 31 December | 23 October | 1 January |
| 1 January to 31 March | 22 January | 1 April |
How to apply
You must apply online. You can only apply for children who live with you and for whom you have parental responsibility.
To apply you will need:
- an email address
- to register on our Citizen Portal, to begin the application
What happens next
If you are eligible, you will receive a childcare code online.
Give the code to an approved childcare provider along with:
- your child's birth certificate
- your proof of residency (eg bank statement, household bill)
Taking the childcare place
Once agreed with a provider, the funded childcare:
- starts from the term after your child’s 2nd birthday
- stops when your child starts in reception class or reaches compulsory school age
You may have to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies or trips.