Free childcare for 2-year-olds — who qualifies?

The most common thing we hear from parents of 2-year-olds is: “I didn’t know we qualified.” Free childcare isn’t just for 3 and 4 year olds — there are two routes to a funded place at age 2, and between them they cover far more families than most people realise.

Route 1 — working families

Since the government expanded funded childcare, eligible working parents can claim funded hours from 9 months old — which includes every 2-year-old in a working household that qualifies. Broadly, you’re eligible if each parent earns at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at minimum wage, and neither earns over £100,000 a year.

Apply via childcarechoices.gov.uk, get your 11-digit code, and bring it to us — the step-by-step guide walks through the whole process, including term deadlines.

Route 2 — additional support (no work requirement)

Separately, 2-year-olds get 15 funded hours with no work requirement if the family receives certain benefits — including Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, the guaranteed element of Pension Credit, or Universal Credit / tax credits below an income threshold.

A 2-year-old can also qualify regardless of family income if they:

• have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan,
• receive Disability Living Allowance,
• are looked after by the local authority, or have left care through adoption or a special guardianship or child arrangements order.

This route is arranged through your local council rather than a code — and it’s exactly the kind of thing we help with. Eligibility rules are set nationally and can change, so treat this as a guide and let us or your council’s Family Information Service confirm your situation.

Why start at 2?

The step from home to nursery is gentler at 2 — more time to settle, build language and friendships, and grow confident well before the school-readiness years. All three of our branches take children from age 2, in dedicated nursery settings with a private outdoor playground.

Think you might qualify — even possibly? It costs nothing to check and nothing to register. Get in touch or apply now — Manor Park (Newham), Poplar and Whitechapel (Tower Hamlets).