Two year-old eligibility code checks

Working Parent Entitlement

The government has announced a series of reforms to early years and childcare, including a Working Parent Entitlement which enables families to access up to 30 hours per week of early education from the term after their child turns nine months old, up to and including the term they turn three years old.

This is being rolled out in stages, with the first one starting in April 2024, when working families will be able to access up to 15 hours of early education, from the term after their child turns two years old.

Parent / carer applications

To access these hours families must apply for an eligibility code through the HMRC Childcare Choices Service. The application system is now open, it is recommended that applications take place mid January to mid February. This is for children born after 1 April 2021.

If a family is currently receiving Tax Free Childcare they will receive their code during their reconfirmation window, they do not need to make a separate application.

Eligibility code checks

To claim funding for this cohort of children from April 2024 (summer term) they must have a valid code. Children should not be allowed to start in a place without a valid code.

All codes can now be checked on The Education Portal. Guides are available to help you check codes.

Before checking a code you must obtain written permission from the parent / carer that their information can be used to complete this code check.

Information required to check

To check the validity of a code you will need:

  • Child date of birth
  • Parent / carer National Insurance Number
  • Eligibility code
  • Written permission from the parent / carer for the above information to be entered into the Department for Education (DFE) Eligibility Checking System to confirm the validity of the code.

Claiming funding with these codes

Children with valid codes should be included on the summer 2024 headcount to receive funding. This is standard practice for all funded children as per the usual headcount process. To do this:

  • Add the child to your live register from 1 April 2024
  • Validate the code in their record
  • Add hours into the funded hours fields

You will not receive any funding for children not claimed for on the summer 2024 headcount. All children must be claimed for.

Further information

Help and support

If you have a query about an eligibiluty code or need any additional support email the Early Education Team on: early.education@trafford.gov.uk

Codes for three and four year-olds

These codes can be checked on the Education Portal as usual.

Two year-old funding

There is no chnage to the existing entitlement of two year-old funding for families receiving additional support. This is applied for and claimed as usual, there are no changes to this funding.