Free early education and childcare for 2 year olds

If you receive financial support you could be eligible for funded childcare for your child when they turn 2 (children looked after by the local authority automatically qualify for this childcare).

How to apply

You can check the current eligibility criteria on GOV.UK.

Use our online form to check if you qualify - if you do, you'll get a reference number to give to a childcare provider.

Find out if you qualify

What happens if you qualify

The online eligibility checker will give you a reference number.

Your reference number must be checked by a childcare provider within 6 weeks of issue and be used to reserve a place, even if your child can't start straight away.

If the reference number isn't checked within 6 weeks, it will expire and you'll need to use the eligibility checker again to get another valid reference number.

Find a childcare provider

You can use the childcare at any good or outstanding Ofsted-registered childcare provider or childminder.

Find a childcare provider or childminder

Why information is on a different website

We are in the process of adding information to this new unitary council website. Some pages will give you a link back to a previous council website to help you find what you need. Read more about the council changes.

Last updated 06 October 2021