Time for Twos

Two-year-olds are eligible for 15 hours of free early years provision if:

The parent(s) claim one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit – if a parent is entitled to Universal Credit they must have an annual net earned income equivalent to and not exceeding £15,400, assessed on up to three of the parent’s most recent Universal Credit assessment periods.
• tax credits and have an annual income of under £16,190 before tax
• the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• support through part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act
• the Working Tax Credit four week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Parents who are excluded from claiming public funds as a consequence of their immigration status, or their lack of immigration status
• Parents who are in receipt of support under section 17 of the Children Act 1989
• The children of these families will be entitled to a free place if their parents are working and meet similar low-level income requirements to others eligible for the scheme (e.g. a household income of £15,400 a year or less after tax).

Or the child:

• has a statement of special educational needs made under section 324 of the Education Act 1996
• has an Education, Health and Care plan prepared under section 37 of the Children and Families Act 2014
• is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance under section 71 of the Social Security and Contributions and Benefits Act 1992
• is looked after by a local authority (under section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989) or by a local authority in Wales within the meaning given by section 74(1) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014
• is no longer looked after by a local authority as a result of an adoption order, a special guardianship order or a child arrangement order (within the meaning of section 8(1) of the Children Act 1989 or section 74(1) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014) which relates to either or both of the following:
  • with whom the child is to live
  • when the child is to live with any person.

Three-year-olds (and two-year-olds who meet the eligibility criteria below) are entitled to 15 hours of free early years provision from the start of the term beginning on or following the date set out below:

• Children born in the period 1st January to 31st March: 1st April following the child’s third birthday, or second birthday, as applicable
• Children born in the period 1st April to 31st August: 1st September following the child’s third birthday, or second birthday, as applicable
• Children born in the period 1st September to 31st December: 1st January following the child’s third birthday, or second birthday, as applicable

These dates are consistent with those used for determining the start of compulsory education.

(Please note you will not be able to proceed with an application until your child has had their second birthday).

(Please note you will not be able to proceed with an application until your child has had their second birthday).

(Please note you will not be able to proceed with an application until your child has had their second birthday).