Did you know that some two year olds may be able to get up to 15 hours of funded childcare? This is known as Time for Twos in Dudley.
The 15 hours funded childcare entitlement has now been extended to include families on certain benefits AND eligible working parents.
You can apply for a Time for Twos place as soon as your child has their second birthday.
Time for twos - families on certain benefits
You can apply for a Time for Twos place for your child as soon as they have had their second birthday. The funded childcare place runs for three terms until your child moves in to their funded early education place the term after their third birthday.
Two-year-olds are eligible for 15 hours of funded 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 funded 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.
Applying
If your child has their second birthday between:
You can apply online in
Two year old funding will start in
January
April
(Please note you will not be able to proceed with an application until your child has had their second birthday).
You can apply online in
Two year old funding will start in
April
September
(Please note you will not be able to proceed with an application until your child has had their second birthday).
You can apply online in
Two year old funding will start in
September
January
(Please note you will not be able to proceed with an application until your child has had their second birthday).
We will continue to offer priority to children who are subject to child protection or child in need plans, if they also meet the mandatory financial criteria.
The government has produced an EE Choice Framework Guide which explains how and where your child can take up their funded two-year-old place. This includes information to help you decide where your child will take up their place and how to make a complaint if you are not offered a choice. As a minimum, all providers must ensure that they can offer each child a session of at least three hours per day.
To find out which childcare providers are able to offer funded childcare places please contact the Family Information Service on 01384 814398/9
If you want further information about funded two, three and four-year-old places please contact the Dudley Childcare helpline on 01384 814291.
15 hours funded childcare has been extended and is now available for eligible working parents of two-year olds as well as families on certain benefits.
If your child turns two before 31 March you can apply for a place now to start in April 2024.
Here are a few things about the funded hours that’s good to know:
• You can use 15 and 30 hours childcare alongside other childcare schemes such as Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare.
• You can use your hours at up to two different providers per day, and hours can be accepted at a variety of childcare providers, including nurseries, childminders, and preschools.
• Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ your childcare hours across more weeks throughout the year, by using fewer hours each week, giving you more flexibility.
To find out more see the useful information for parents below and read the Education Hub article on how to claim 15 hours funded childcare, including how to get your code.
Early education offers so many benefits to children, including developing their social skills like sharing, turn taking and making and playing with friends; this helps children become ready for school. Parents and carers also benefit as it gives them time to themselves, to work, to train or look for work or access training that might lead to work.
If you would like to find out more about the benefits of your two year old attending childcare, please take a look at the following short film kindly produced and shared with us by Wandsworth Council.
