Funded early learning for 2 year olds
Funded early learning for 2 year olds is known as Together for Twos.
Eligibility
Your 2 year old may be eligible if they have additional needs, and if your family receive any of the following benefits:
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit (for annual gross income under £16,190)
- Universal Credit (if you and your partner are on a low income from work (this usually means a combined income of less than £15,400 a year after tax)
- Disability-related Working Tax Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Pension Credit Guarantee and Child Tax Credit
To find out more, contact your local children's centre or the Families Information Service.
Early learning providers
You can use funded early learning places at a:
- registered childminder
- children's centre
- creche
- nursery
- pre-school playgroup
Early learning places are funded from the time your child attends, so you should not be charged in advance for your place.
Starting early learning
Eligible 2 year olds can start funded early learning after their second birthday. If their birthday is between:
- 1 April and 31 August, they can start on 1 September
- 1 September and 31 December, they can start 1 January
- 1 January and 31 March, they can start 1 April
Allocated hours
Your child will be allocated up to 15 hours a week of early learning, for 38 weeks a year.
You can spread the hours over 3 days a week or more.
You can spread the hours between more than one provider if you wish.