Funded early learning and childcare for 2 year olds

Your 2 year old may be able to get funded early learning and childcare if either:

Funded early learning and childcare is free to you.

How to get a place

If you qualify, your local council can help you find a place.

Your local council may offer funded early learning and childcare to people who do not meet the criteria on this page.

Get help to find a place from your local council

There are different childcare schemes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you get Universal Credit, your 2 year old may be able to get funded early learning and childcare.

Your monthly household take-home pay must be £850 or less.

‘Take-home pay’ is how much money you get after these things are taken from your pay:

Your 2 year old can get funded early learning and childcare if you get one of these benefits:

Income support
Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Incapacity Benefit
Severe Disablement Allowance
State Pension Credit
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (Support for Asylum Seekers)

Your 2 year old can get funded early learning and childcare if you or your child has experience of care.

Experience of care means being looked after by either:

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