15 Hours Funding
15 Hours Childcare Funding for 3 to 4 year olds
We call this type of funding, universal funding.
- All 3 and 4-year-olds who live in England are entitled to this offer irrespective of income levels, benefit status, or family circumstances.
- If your child is aged 3 or 4 and you are receiving this 15 hours childcare, and receiving some additional forms of support, you may also be eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP). EYPP is paid to childcare providers and gives them additional funding to support learning and development for children. You can see if you’re eligible for EYPP on GOV.UK and speak with your provider or local council to apply.
- 15 hours per week, for term time only, will be paid to the childcare provider though the local council. This covers the cost of childcare only and does not include the cost for food and consumables. For this we charge a fee. We also charge for the weeks that the government do not pay, e.g. the half terms, easter break and summer holiday.
15 Hours Childcare Funding for 2 Year Olds Receiving Support
We call this type of funding FEE2 funding, however different councils may differ in their terminology.
Your 2-year-old can get funded early learning if you live in England and get any of the following 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
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Your benefits will not be affected if you take up the 15 hours early learning offer.
2-year-olds can also get funded childcare if they:
- are looked after by a local authority
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- get Disability Living Allowance
- have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
- No income thresholds apply.
You can see if you’re eligible for EYPP on GOV.UK and speak with your provider or local council to apply.
Non-UK citizens
If you’re a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits and 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.
Related Pages
Check your eligibility now for all funding types via the government’s Best Start in Life website
