Early learning and childcare for Terrific 2 year olds
Some two year olds can get up to 600 or 1,140 hours, of early learning and childcare in council-run and partner-provider nurseries. These are called Terrific 2 year olds.
Criteria
You may qualify if you get one or more of these benefits effective from 1 April 2023
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-based Employment Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance
- State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credits, but not Working Tax Credit with annual household income below £18,725
- Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credit with an annual household income of £8,717 or less
- support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit with a monthly household earned income of £726 per month or below (Based on equivalent of £8,717 per year) Note: disability allowance is not included as income
or if your child is
- looked after or is considered to be at risk of becoming looked after
- under a kinship care order
- is living with a parent-appointed guardian
- care experienced or has a parent who is care experienced
- in temporary accommodation/homeless
or if the family has
- graduated from the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP)
When you child starts nursery
Your child can start their funded nursery place one week after their second birthday.
Apply
Contact your first choice nursery and agree when you can drop off your documents at the nursery to apply:
- application form (PDF)
- child's birth certificate - or, if informed by the nursery, their passport
- proof of address, such as a Council Tax letter or utility bill
- proof of your eligibility.
When completing the form, you must give a second and third choice. This can be a Council or partner-provider nursery or a childminder.
Find where we offer places for Terrific 2 year olds
Search for a nursery in your area
Find a childminder
Download a printable list of Council and partner-provider settings (PDF)