Early Learning for 2 year olds

Find out if your child is eligible for a place

Once your child is eligible for a place, they stay eligible, even if your circumstances change.

Your 2 year old can get Early Learning if you get one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• 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 Early Learning 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

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 Early Learning for your 2 year-old

You must live in England and your household income 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. 

You may have to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies or trips.

Where your child can take up their place

There are a wide range of childcare providers offering places that you can choose from, including childminders, childminder nurseries, day nurseries and pre-school playgroups.

When your child will be eligible for their place

Your child will be entitled to a place from the term after their second birthday. You can check if your child is eligible for a place from the beginning of the term when your child turns 2.

If your child's birthday falls between:

• 1 January to 31 March, they can start their place from the beginning of term on or after 1 April
• 1 April to 31 August, they can start their place from the beginning of term on or after 1 September
• 1 September to 31 December, they can start their place from the beginning of term on or after 1 January

Apply to find out if your 2 year old can get Early Learning

You'll need to tell us:

• your address and contact details
• which benefit you claim or other reason your child may be eligible for childcare support
• your child's name, date of birth and gender
• the name of your child's health visitor
• details of a second parent or carer if there is one
• details of the childcare setting your child attends

If you need help completing this form, you can phone Best Start Family Hubs.

If you have more than one child, complete a separate form for each.