Eligibility for funded childcare
Working parents
Eligible working parents of 2-year-old children can access funded childcare the term after their child turns 2.
This is part of the National Childcare Reforms Expansion roll out, which aims to provide more support for parents and carers across Essex.
To check your eligibility, visit the UK government’s dedicated childcare support page.
Families receiving Government Support
Funded childcare for 2-year-olds is available to eligible parents or families who get any of these benefits:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker's 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
- child 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)
Special circumstances
2-year-olds can also get funded childcare if they:
- are looked after by a local authority
- have a statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- get Disability Allowance
- have left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order
In addition to this criteria, we will also consider applications for children where the council has received a Section 23 notification from Health.
If you’re a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits
If your immigration status says you have ‘no recourse to public funds’, you may still get free childcare for your 2-year-old. You must live in England and your household income after tax must be no more than:
- £26,500 for families outside of London with one child
- £34,500 for families within London with one child
- £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
- £38,600 for families within London with two or more children
You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.