All three and four-year-olds in England are entitled to 570 hours of free early education or childcare a year.
This is often taken as 15 hours each week for 38 weeks of the year.
Some two-year-olds are also eligible.
You can start claiming after your child turns three. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.
- If your child’s birthday is between January 1 and March 31, you can claim from the beginning of term on or after April 1.
- If the birthday falls April 1 to August 31, you can claim from the beginning of term on or after September 1
- From September 1 to December 31, claim from the beginning of term on or after January 1
The free early education and childcare can be at:
- nursery schools
- nurseries on school sites
- nursery classes in schools and academies
- children’s centres
- day nurseries
- some playgroups and pre-school
- childminders
- Sure Start Children’s Centres
Contact your local council for more information about free early education and childcare in your area.
Some two-year-olds in England can also get free early education and childcare.
You must be getting one of the following:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- support through part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act
- the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- the Working Tax Credit four-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or both and have a gross household income of £16,190 a year or less
Children are also entitled to a place if:
- they’re looked after by a local council
- they have a current statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education health and care plan
- they get Disability Living Allowance
- they’ve left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order
If your child is eligible, you can start claiming after they turn two. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is, as for three-year-olds (as above).
Contact your local council to check if your child is eligible.
