The free early education and childcare must be with an approved childcare provider.
Eligibility stops at the end of the term before your child is due to start reception class,
The government offers a free place for up to 15hrs a week the term after your child’s 3rd birthday, if you attend extra hours fees will be worked out for you allowing for your free entitlement.
Your child is eligible for this funding the term beginning after their third birthday
Birthdays falling between / Eligible from
1 September – 31 December / January (Spring term)
1 January – 31 March / April (Summer term)
1 April – 31 August / September (Autumn term)
How many hours of early years entitlement can my child have?
Funding through the Early Years Team is up to a maximum of 38 weeks of the year.
An additional 15 hours a week of free childcare – 30 hours in all.
To be eligible, parents must be in work (including self-employment) and each earning at least £120 per week and not more than £100,000 per year.
Read more on available 30 hours funding…
Who Qualifies? … If you have any queries about free entitlement, please contact the Nursery Manager.
If you are on a low income, or unemployed and meet eligibilty criteria , your two year old may be eligible for a free childcare place at a preschool or nursery.
This funding is for 15 hours a week (taken over a minimum of three days), 38 weeks of the year and starts the term after your child’s second birthday.
Your child will be in a safe and happy environment with the opportunity to develop self-confidence, interact with other children, develop their language skills and learn something new.
Once your child turns three, the two-year-old funding stops and and their place will be funded through the three and four-year-old free childcare entitlement that is offered to every child in the UK.
To find out if you are eligible for free childcare for your two-year-old and how to apply, contact your local authority Family Information services.
The Tax Credit system is there to support families on low incomes. It is made up of three different parts:
Child Tax Credit – Payable based on household income and the number of children you have whether income is from work or benefits.
Working Tax Credit – Payable to anyone who is responsible for a child and works for 16 hours or more a week on a low income.
Childcare element of Working Tax Credit
Payable to anyone working 16 hours or more a week with a child in registered childcare. Help could be up to 70% of costs. In a couple, both partners must work 16 hours or more a week.