Early learning for 2 Year Olds

Part of: Funded early education

Contents

Families receiving additional support may be eligible for a two-year-old early education place. 

Children become eligible the 1 January, 1 April, 1 September after their second birthday, if the family meets one of the eligibility criteria listed on this page. 

What you can get 

Eligible families can receive up to 15 hours on a term-time basis. Some providers may deliver places on an ‘all year round’ basis, which provides fewer hours over more weeks of the year. 

Your early education provider will confirm how they offer the hours. The number of hours in a session and the days available may be different at each provider. 

Eligibility

Your child may be eligible under one or more of the following groups.

1. Families receiving certain benefits

You may qualify if you receive one of the following:

  • Universal Credit (and your annual take-home pay is £15,400 or less)
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment Support Allowance
  • Guaranteed element of Pension Credit

We check your application using an online eligibility checking system. We may contact you if we need more information.

2. Children with special educational needs or disabilities

Your child may qualify if they:

  • Have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan
  • Receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

We will need to see:

  • EHC plan eligibility: confirmation from your EHC lead professional
  • DLA eligibility: a copy of your DLA award letter

3. Children in care

Some children are automatically eligible because of their care status. This includes:

  • Children looked after by the local authority
  • Children who have left care under: Special Guardianship Order, Adoption Order or Child Arrangements Order
  • Children who are the subject of a Child Protection Plan

We will need a copy of the court order or confirmation from your Social Worker.

4. Children from a triplet or higher multiple birth

Some children from multiple births may qualify. We will contact you to discuss what evidence is required.

Non-UK citizens

Some families who cannot claim benefits may also qualify for 2-year-old funding.

For full details, see 2-year-old funding for non-UK citizens.

How to apply

Once you have found a place for your child, you need to submit a two-year-old funding application on the Parent Portal.

Your application will be processed in 10 working days. 

You will receive a reference number to confirm your eligibility. You must give this to your early education provider as they will not be able to claim funding without this.

Get help

When to apply

The earliest you can apply is the term when your child has their second birthday. You must submit the form in time for your provider to claim your funding.

Funding start date Submission deadline
To receive funding from 1 January Forms must be submitted by 11 January
To receive funding from 23 February Forms must be submitted by 15 February
To receive funding from 1 April Forms must be submitted by 3 May
To receive funding from 1 June Forms must be submitted by 24 June

Every term, there are two opportunities to start a funded place: at the start of term and after half term. 

There is only one opportunity to change the funded provider: at the start of each term. There is more information about changing providers on our overview page.

Your funding will continue until your child is eligible for a three and four-year-old place, even if your circumstances change.