Working Parent Entitlement for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.
If your child is 3 or 4 they can access a funded early education place from the start of the school term after their 3rd birthday and until they reach statutory school age or start school reception class.
Universal entitlement - 15 hours
All children are eligible for the 'Universal 15 Hours Entitlement' from the term following their 3rd birthday.
The Universal entitlement is for 570 hours per year, over a minimum of 38 weeks of the year (a maximum of 15 hours per week).
This entitlement can be stretched over more than 38 weeks and up to 52 weeks by taking fewer hours over more weeks. Please refer to your Early Years Provider for information on how they offer the funded entitlements.
Extended entitlement - 30 hours
You can get a funded childcare place for up to 30 hours per week for 38 weeks per year for your 3 or 4 year old if you meet the following criteria:
- You are a working family and earn the equivalent of 16 hours per week paid at the national living wage.
- You earn less than £100,000 per year.
- The term following your child’s 3rd birthday or the term following receipt of a valid 30 hour code, whichever is the earlier.
How to apply:
- Apply online at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk the term before you want the place to start.
- If you are successful, HMRC will issue you with a 30 hours eligibility code through your secure account which you must give to your childcare provider.
- Your childcare provider will check that your code is valid. You can then reserve a 30 hours place for the following term.
- The code must have a validity start date on or before the last day of the previous term:
- Autumn term: a validity start date on or before 31st August
-Spring term: a validity start date on or before 31st December
-Summer term: a validity start date on or before 31st March
- You need to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months by logging into your secure account. You will be reminded by HMRC 4 weeks before the deadline
For further information and to apply for a 30 hour code, please go to: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Free education and childcare for 2 year olds
Your 2-year-old can get free childcare if you live in England and get one 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
- child tax credits, and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
2 year-olds can also get free childcare if they:
- are looked after by a local authority
- have a statement of special education needs (SEN) or 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 like meals, nappies or trips.
Contact your childcare provider or local council to find out more.
If you’re a non-EEA citizen who cannot claim benefits:
Your 2-year-old may get free childcare if you are getting support under the Immigration and Asylum Act and have either:
- claimed asylum in the UK and are waiting for a decision (known as ‘part 6’)
- been refused asylum in the UK (known as ‘section 4’)
A 2-year-old you care for may also get free childcare if your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, and you have any of the following:
- leave to remain with ‘no recourse to public funds’ on family or private life grounds
- support from your local council because you have ‘a child in need’, for example they have a disability or a child protection plan
- the right to live in the UK because you’re the main carer of a British citizen (known as a ‘Zambrano Carer’)
Check with your local council if you’re unsure if you can get free childcare.
For more information download our document:
If you do have any questions regarding the free childcare then please speak to Julie- Our funding co-ordinator, who will be more then happy to help.
