Some eligible parents/ carers of 2 year old may be able entitled to get 15 hours of free childcare per week, if you met the below criteria:
- Income support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit and household earnings are no more than £15,400 per year
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credits, with an annual household income of no more than £16,190
- Working Tax Credits, with an annual household income of no more than £16,190
- Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (paid for 4 weeks after a family stop qualifying for Working Tax Credits)
- Support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act and you have a NASS number
Please note that parents are not eligible where they claim working tax credits and child tax credits at the same time.
If you receive one of the benefits listed above your child may be eligible and you can apply for the funding via Worcestershire Children First Portal
When can my 2 year old have a free place and when should I apply?
Children who meet the relevant criteria below will become eligible for free hours from the term following their 2nd birthday until the end of the term in which they turn 3 years of age.
When to apply for 2 year funding
Children who turn 2 between: |
Apply by: |
Start received free hours from: |
1 January and 31 March |
Middle of February to end of March |
April after the child's 2nd birthday |
1 April and 31 August |
Middle of June to end of July |
September after the child's 2nd birthday |
1 September and 31 December |
Middle of October to end of December |
January after the child's 2nd birthday |
Additional Information
Is there any additional funding for a child with Special Educational Needs?
If a child has Special Educational Needs (SEN), their entitlement is still a maximum of 15 free hours.
Where a child with SEN attends a specialist provision (such as a Special School or a Speech and Language Unit), the free hours must be allocated to these providers first before they are used on other provision. If a child attends a specialist provision for less than 15 hours, children will be able to receive their remaining
entitlement at any other funded provider.
Can I be charged during holiday periods?
If you have agreed with your provider to stretch your free hours over the holiday
periods, then you will not be charged. However, you will be charged if you are using more than the free hours agreed with your provider.
If my child is unwell, is the free place affected?
You are not able to claim back any free hours that your child has been unable to attend due to illness. The free hours will be used to keep your child’s place open for their return. If your child is unwell and unable to attend for more than four weeks, please contact your childcare provider to discuss your child’s place.
What happens if I am awarded funding and then get a job? Do I lose my funding?
No. Once funding has been awarded it will remain in place regardless of any changes to your
circumstances.
What if I want to change provider?
If you would like to transfer your free hours to another provider, you can contact the Family Information Service at your local family hub who can support you to do this.
You can contact our Family Hubs by calling: 01905 520 032