Funded childcare for two-year-olds
How can I check if I'm entitled to a passport?
Your two-year-old can get funded early education or childcare if you live in England and get any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (or both), and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
- the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
Two-year-olds can also get free childcare if they:
- are looked after by a local authority
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- get Disability Living Allowance
- have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
You may have to pay for extra costs such as:
- meals
- nappies
- additional hours
- additional activities, such as trips
If you're not eligible for free education and childcare for parents getting benefits
You may be able to get free childcare if you're working under a separate scheme.
If you're eligible for both schemes
You can only get help from either:
- free education and childcare for parents getting benefits
- free childcare if you're working
If you're eligible for both, you must apply for help through the free education and childcare for parents getting benefits scheme.
If you're a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits
If your immigration status says you have 'no recourse to public funds', you may still get free childcare for your two-year-old. You must live in England and your household income after tax must be no more than:
- £26,500 for families outside of London with one child
- £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.
Contact your childcare provider or check with us if you're unsure if you can get free childcare.
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