Help paying for your childcare
If you are a working parent with a 2 year old the Childcare Choices website offers a comparison guide for ways to reduce childcare costs.
For further information see the entitlements for working parents page.
15 Funded hours for eligible 2 year olds
Children in families with a low income or in receipt of certain benefits are entitled to 15 funded hours of childcare or early years education
- The funded hours are up to 570 hours a year.
- This is 15 hours over 38 weeks or fewer hours per week for more weeks in the year.
- This can be taken at registered settings or childcare providers or cross more than one setting.
Introduction
Some two year olds are entitled to funded early learning and childcare. The eligibility starts the school term after the child’s second birthday. Although not all two year olds are entitled to a funded place, all children become eligible for funded childcare and early learning places from the school term after their third birthday. Funded early learning and childcare for 3 and 4 year olds.
Eligibility
Children born in the period |
Become entitled for funding at the start of the funding period or following |
Funding period |
1 January - 31 March | 1 April | Summer |
1 April - 31 August | 1 September | Autumn |
1 September - 31 December | 1 January | Spring |
Either parent must be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Working Tax Credit provided your annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) does not exceed £16,190
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit provided your annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) does not exceed £16,190
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £15,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
Or, the child:
- has been adopted from local authority care
- has been looked after by a local authority
- has left care through a special guardianship or child arrangements order
- is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance
- has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan
If you have received a letter, you will need to complete the online application form to check your eligibility. The letter is not proof of entitlement as your circumstances can change. You do not need the letter to make an application - anyone meeting eligibility can apply.
Apply for funded childcare for 2 year olds
If you qualify, you will receive an authorisation code, which you need to give to the early learning and childcare provider of your choice and discuss taking up a place with them. The authorisation code can be used at more than one provider and is valid until the funding period following your child's third birthday.
If you are eligible, your child is entitled to a maximum of 570 funded hours in the 12 month period. Please refer to the table above for the eligible dates of birth.
Information about 3 and 4 year old funding
Frequently asked questions
We have compiled answers to the most common questions we are asked about childcare funding.
Contact the Education Welfare Benefits team
You can contact the Council’s Education Welfare Benefits Team for information about applications for free school meals, or benefits which support children financially while at school or college.
Education Welfare Benefits Team
Box Number: ALC2606
New Shire Hall
Emery Crescent
Enterprise Campus
Alconbury Weald
Huntingdon
PE28 4YE
Email: ewb.fsm@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01223 703 200
Early years funding is a national scheme administered by local authorities in their areas. To find out more about the legal framework and principles go to Early Years Funding Code of Practice for Local Authorities.