Early Learning for 2 year olds (15 hours funding)
Your 2-year-old can receive early learning childcare funding if you live in England and receive some additional forms of support.
Giving your 2-year-old a head start in learning can be great for their future. Early years education can help little ones make friends and play, developing their social and practical skills in a safe place that works alongside what you do at home. This early start can set your child up for a lifetime of learning and success.
Your 2-year-old can get funded early learning if you live in England and get any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Your benefits will not be affected if you take up the 15 hours early learning offer.
2-year-olds 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, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
No income thresholds apply.
To apply, please use link: Early Learning for 2 year olds
Updated 04.02.2026
Eligibility
Families must be in receipt of a qualifying benefit to access free early learning and childcare as listed below
The parent(s) claim one of the following benefits:
- Income support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit - if you and your partner have a combined income from work of £15,400 a year or less after tax
- Tax credits and have an annual income of £16,190 or less a year before tax
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
- Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
Special criteria will apply to some children as listed below:
- With an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan
- In receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Looked after by a Local Authority
- Have left care through an adoption, residence order, a special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
Finding a 2 year old early education and childcare place
You can find a list of providers offering 2 year old early education and childcare places here.
To access your child's place, you will need to:
- give them your offer code
- show them evidence of your child's date of birth (passport or birth certificate)
- show them proof of your home address
- complete any necessary paper work
The early education and childcare provider will confirm the availble start date for the place and clearly show any additional charges which may apply (The place is for education and childcare and may not cover nappies, activities, food, trips etc.)
If you are looking to change childcare provider you must ensure you have given notice to them before looking to take up a new childcare place.
Non-UK citizens
If you’re a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits and your immigration status says you have ‘no recourse to public funds’, you may still get free childcare for your 2-year-old. You must live in England and 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.