Did you know that if you have a 2 year old child you may be able to access free childcare sessions in Trafford? If you meet the criteria, you may be able to get 10 hours per week of free childcare sessions at a registered childcare provider. This could be a pre school playgroup, a private day nursery or an accredited childminder in Trafford. The childcare provider must be part of the scheme. In most cases, we try to use an approved provider within walking distance of your home.

To be eligible for free sessions, you must live in an eligible post code and claim one of the specified means tested benefits.

For your child to be eligible, you must also be in receipt of one of the following means tested benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Extra Working Tax Credit relating to a disability
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit - Child Element
• Child Tax Credit - Disabled Child Element
• Child Tax Credit - Severely Disabled Child Element

The Child Tax Credit has four different elements. The Family element is paid to all families with a child and so if you only receive this element, you are NOT eligible for two year old funding. If you are in receipt of any other element, you will be eligible for funding providing you live in one of the specified post code areas.

If you live outside of Trafford, you will need to contact the Family Information Service in your area to find out if they are operating a similar scheme for two year olds. To be put through to your local Family Information Service, you can call 0800 234 6346.

There are three different funding periods in the year. Your child becomes eligible for funding at the beginning of the period after their second birthday. The following table shows when these funding periods are:

There is a choice of childcare providers but they must have available spaces and be on Trafford's approved list to deliver free childcare sessions for two year olds.

There are two different ways you can claim your funded sessions:

Over 38 weeks of the year

You can choose to receive funding for 10 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. Schools are open for 38 weeks of the year so this option may work well for you if you have other school aged children.

Over the full year

You can choose to receive funding for 7 and a half hours per week over the full year. If you choose this option, you will be funded for 51 weeks. You should bear in mind that some childcare providers, such as pre school playgroups, are only likely to be open for 38 weeks of the year and so this option may not always be available.

It does not matter if the benefits you claim change at any point after your application is accepted. Once your funding application has been accepted, your child will be funded through to them becoming eligible for the free early education entitlement for three and four year olds.

This means your child can have 15 hours per week of early education free of charge. Depending on availability, it may be possible for children who have received two year old funding to stay with the same childcare provider for their free entitlement once they turn three.

If you think your child may be eligible you can apply online

Alternatively, you can discuss this with your health visitor, children's centre worker or with our Children and Young People Information Service.

If your application is successful, you will also be able to access advice and support in areas such as play and activities in your local area; child development and health information; family support and advice on returning to work and training.