Enrol your child in nursery and childcare

Funded places

All children aged 3 or 4 are entitled to funded Early Learning and Childcare until they start school.

Eligibility for 2-year-olds

Children aged 2 or over who are looked after, in kinship care, or under a guardianship order are eligible for funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC).

Some 2-year-olds can get funded Early Learning and Childcare if their parent or carer receives certain benefits or if the child is care-experienced.

They may be eligible for funded ELC if you are a care-experienced parent or receive one of the following:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Universal Credit with earned income below £995 per month
  • Incapacity Benefit
  • Severe Disablement Allowance
  • State Pension Credit
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (Support for Asylum Seekers)

Apply for 2-year-old funding

Page last modified: 8 April 2026