Free childcare and early education places

In this section

  1. Free childcare and early education places for 2, 3, and 4 year olds
  2. Does my two-year-old qualify for free childcare and education?
  3. FAQ's

Does my two-year-old qualify for free childcare and education?

Funded childcare for 2-year-olds

Your child may be able to get 15 hours of funded early learning per week if you live in England and meet certain criteria.

https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Check if you are eligible

You may qualify if you get one of the following benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Universal Credit, with a household income of £15,400 a year or less after tax (excluding benefits)
  • The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

Taking up a funded childcare place will not affect your benefits.

https://2yroldearlyeducation.stoke.gov.uk/SynergyWeb/

Other ways your child can qualify

Your child can also get funded 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
    • a special guardianship order
    • a child arrangements order

There is no income limit for these criteria.

Contact us on beststart@stoke.gov.uk / 01782 232200

What funded childcare covers

Government funding is intended to provide 15 or 30 hours per week of high-quality childcare, free of charge to parents.

It does not cover:

  • meals
  • nappies
  • additional hours
  • extra activities (for example, trips)

Your provider may charge for these. However:

  • charges must be optional
  • they must not be a condition of accessing your funded place

Speak to your provider about alternative options if needed.

Non-UK citizens

You may still be eligible if:

  • you cannot claim benefits
  • your immigration status includes ‘no recourse to public funds’
  • you live in England

Your household income after tax must be no more than:

  • £26,500 (outside London, one child)
  • £34,500 (London, one child)
  • £30,600 (outside London, two or more children)
  • £38,600 (London, two or more children)

You must also have less than £16,000 in savings or investments.

Contact us on beststart@stoke.gov.uk / 01782 232200 for a NRPF form.