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15 hours for 2 year olds (additional support)

Eligible parents/carers of children from 2 years to 3 years old may be able to access up to 15 hours a week of funded early education and childcare if they receive some sort of additional government support. There are three eligibility criteria depending on your circumstances:

  • Financial
  • Automatically funded
  • Non-UK citizens who cannot claim benefits

More information on each of the criteria can be found below plus information on how to apply.

Am I eligible?

Financial criteria - you may be eligible if you receive one of the following:

  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseekers 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
  • tax credits, and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
  • the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

Automatically funded criteria - your child will be automatically eligible if they:

  • have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
  • get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • are looked after by the local authority
  • have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order

Non-UK citizens who cannot claim benefits - you may be eligible if you are getting support under the Immigration and Asylum Act and have either:

  • claimed asylum in the UK and are waiting for a decision (known as part 6)
  • been refused asylum in the UK (known as section 4)

You may also be eligible if you have 'no recourse to public funds' and your household income after tax is no more than:

  • £34,500 for families within London with one child
  • £38,600 for families within London with two or more children

You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments. 


What if I fall out of eligibility?

Once you are eligible and have started a place, you will continue to receive your funded place, even if you fall out of eligibility.

When can my child start?

Your child can access the funding from the term after they turn 2 years old:

  • If your child was born between 1st April and 31st August, your child can access their place from September.
  • If your child was born between 1st September and 31st December, your child can access their place from January.
  • If your child was born between 1st January and 31st March, your child can access their place from April.

How do I apply?

To apply please complete the two year old entitlement application form linked at the bottom of this page. You may be asked to provide additional evidence to confirm your eligibility eg EHCP, DLA award letter, bank account statements, Universal Credit statements. 

What isn't covered by the funding?

The funding is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a funded place, and you must be offered alternative options.

You may also be asked to pay a deposit to secure your place. This should be returned to you within a couple of months of your child taking up their place.

Can I get help with paying for additional hours?

If you require more childcare than the 15 hours provided, there are other funding options available to support you with the cost of additional hours:
  • Tax Free Childcare
  • Childcare element of Universal Credit and Child Tax Credits
For more information on all childcare funding available, please visit our 'What help is there to pay for childcare' page or the Childcare Choices website. Both linked at the bottom of the page.

I have a question or need more help?

If you have any general questions around the entitlements or how to access a place in Sutton, then please contact the Sutton Family Information Service on 020 8770 6000.

Search for childcare providers who offer the funding? (Opens in New Window)

Two year old entitlement funding (additional support) application form (Opens in New Window)