Click here to apply for two year old funding

Do you have a two year old?

If so, then you could be eligible for a free early education place. Your 2 year old could access up to 570 hours of early learning funding, used at 'good' or 'outstanding' Ofsted rated childcare providers.

This funding can be accessed in different ways:

• Up to 15 hours per week over 38 weeks of the year (term time only)
• Up to 11 hours over 51 weeks by stretching funding to cover school holidays

These options depend upon the childcare provider's vacancies and individual circumstances; so please discuss options directly with them.

Your child will be entitled to this funding if you meet one of the following criteria:

Financial criteria

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 USA)
• 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
• 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 Plan (EHCP)
• are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• have left care under an Adoption Order, Special Guardianship Order or a Child Arrangements Order

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')

 or if your household income is £15,400 a year or less  after tax, and you have either:

• leave to remain with 'no recourse to public funds' on family or private life grounds

• the right to live in the UK because you're the main carer of a British citizen (known as a 'Zambrano Carer')

In addition to the national criteria listed above, Cornwall has funded places in 2021-22 to support children and their parents during the recovery from the COVID pandemic following a successful bid from Public Health Cornwall. The Health Visiting Team will contact families with 2 year old children who will benefit from playing with friends their own age, have fun learning and help speech, language and development skills especially after a year in lockdown.  If you meet this criteria your Health Visitor will already be seeing you and will be in contact.

Funding starts the term following your child's second birthday:

• A child born between 1st April and 31st August can access childcare from 1st September
• A child born between 1st September and 31st December can access childcare from 1st January
• A child born between 1st January and 31st March can access childcare from 1st April