Funded childcare for 2 year old's
The government funds up to 570 hours of free childcare per year for eligible 2 year old's.
This works out as 15 hours a week if your child takes up the childcare during term time (38 weeks), or you could take fewer hours over more weeks in the year.
Who is eligible
You’ll be eligible if you get any of the following extra support:
- Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax (not including benefit payments)
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
You can also get funded childcare if your child:
- has an education, health and care (EHC) plan (also known as an EHCP)
- gets Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- has left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
Non-UK citizen
You may still get free childcare for your 2 year old if you're:
- a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits
- immigration status says you have 'no recourse to public funds'
Your household income after tax must be no more than:
- £26,500 for families with one child
- £30,600 for families 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 Families. (Link to working families page)
If you qualify for both schemes, you should apply for this one first.
When your child is eligible
| If your child's second birthday falls between: | Your child can start using their hours from: |
|---|---|
| 1 January and 31 March | The start of the Summer Term (April) |
| 1 April and 31 August | The start of the Autumn Term (September) |
| 1 September and 31 December | The start of the Spring Term (January) |
How to apply
You will need to register on Cumberland Council's Citizen Portal.
Once registered, you can choose to apply for a funded early education place for your 2 year old.
Register and apply through the Citizen Portal
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria above, you may be entitled to the working parent entitlement (link to the page)
If you need further information or assistance, email families.information@cumberland.gov.uk
Further information
The Best Start in Life website includes:
- available childcare support
- early education entitlements
- other government help with childcare costs