Funded education and childcare for 2 year olds if you claim certain benefits

When will my child be eligible

Your child can get funded childcare from the term after they turn 2 years old. You need to apply and get a code. This funding covers 38 weeks a year (school term time). If you use less than 15 hours per week, you might get funding for more weeks.

If you are getting any of the following...

  • Income Support
  • Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
  • Universal Credit and not working
  • Universal Credit, and working. Your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
  • Your incomes is £16,190 a year or less, and you get
    • child tax credit, working tax credit (or both)
Click here to apply. You will need to create an account and have your National Insurance number. See the step by step guide to create your account.

Other eligibility

To apply if any of the below is true, call 020 8583 6421 or email 2y@hounslow.gov.uk

Your child has a special educational need or a disability and has:

Your child is adopted or in foster care
  • is looked after by the local authority
  • left care under a special guardianship order
  • has a child arrangement order
  • has an adoption order
Non- UK citizen
If your immigration status says you have no recourse to public funds and your household income after tax is less than:
  • £34,500 for families with one child
  • £38,600 for families with two or more children
You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.

Asylum Seeker
You can get funded childcare if:
  • you are waiting for a decision for your asylum claim
  • you have ‘leave to remain’ (temporary immigration status) with the NRPF condition on grounds of family or private life
  • you have the right to live in the UK because you are the main carer of a British citizen known as a “Zambrano carer”

What isn't covered by the funding

The funding does not cover the costs of
  • meals or snacks
  • other consumables (like nappies or sun cream),
  • extra hours or activities (like trips).
Providers may charge for these extras. Talk to your childcare provider if you cannot pay these costs. Charges should not be a condition of accessing a funded place.

Search childminders offering funded places for eligible 2 year olds

Search day nurseries and pre-school playgroups offering funded places for eligible 2 year olds

Back to help to pay for childcare

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