Funded early learning and childcare

Early learning and childcare combines education and care for children under school age.

If you are the parent of a 2-year-old and are in receipt of certain benefits you could qualify for up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare.

Eligibility for funding for 2-year-olds

Eligibility is based on parents who receive one of the following:

• Income Support (IS)
• Job Seeker's Allowance (income based)
• any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
• Incapacity or Severe Disablement Allowance
• State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit and your income is less than £19,995
• both maximum Child Tax Credit and maximum Working Tax Credit and your income is less than £9,552
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Universal Credit and your household take-home pay is £796 a month or less

Or a 2-year-old who is:

• looked after (by the local authority)
• under a Kinship Care Order
• living with a Parent Appointed Guardian (please provide Court Order confirming this)
• care experienced or has a parent who is care experienced 

How to apply

You should only apply if:

• your child is at least 21 months old
• you have checked you meet the eligibility criteria 

Apply now

You can also request a paper application:

Email: earlyyearssupport@dumgal.gov.uk
Telephone: 030 33 33 3000

What happens next

Once we receive your completed application form and additional evidence (if applicable), we will write to you within 21 days to confirm that you are eligible. 

If you do not hear from us within 21 days, you can email us and we will check that your application has been received.

You then need to choose an early learning and childcare provider.

Enrolment

You should then contact them to enrol your child. They will complete all the enrolment forms with you. You will need:

• the letter that we sent you confirming that you are eligible
• your child's UK birth certificate – if your child was not born in the UK, you will need a passport or ID card instead
• proof of your address

If your provider of choice is full, they can place you on a waiting list, or you can choose another provider.

Start dates

Your start date will be detailed on the eligibility letter. It is based on the date of your child's 2nd birthday.

Looked after children can start on the day they turn 2-years-old.