Funded childcare for two-year-olds

You'll be eligible if you get any of the following extra support:

• you get Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax (not including benefit payments)
• you get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• you get the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• your child has an education, health and care (EHC) plan, also known as an EHCP
• your child gets Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• your child has left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order

If you're a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits

If your immigration status says you cannot claim benefits you may still get free childcare for your 2 year old.

Your household income after tax must be no more than:

• £26,500 for families outside of London with one child
• £34,500 for families within London with one child
• £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
• £38,600 for families within London with two or more children  

You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.

If you're working

If you get extra support and you work, you may qualify for an extra 15 hours of free childcare. Find out more about Free Childcare for Working Parents.

If you qualify for both schemes, you should apply for this one first.

Things you may have to pay for

Your childcare provider might ask you to pay for things like:

• food
• nappies
• extra hours
• activities or trips

These must be optional extras. If you do not want to pay for them, your provider should agree on an alternative with you.

You can still get the free childcare if you do not pay for any optional extras.

Contact your childcare provider or check with us if you're unsure if you can get funded childcare.