Apply for funded education for 2 year olds
There will be changes to childcare support from April 2024. Check:
- details and when to apply on Childcare Choices website
- Ed Hub's article for working parents of 2 year olds (FAQs).
Your child can get funded early education the term after their second birthday if you live in Slough and you get one of the following benefits.
- Income support
- Income based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support through Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Parents are eligible for the two-year-old entitlement if their income is £16,190 a year or less, and receive:
- child tax credit but not working tax credit
- working tax credit but not child tax credit
- the working tax credit 4 week run on.
Parents are not eligible where they claim working tax credits and child tax credits at the same time.
- Universal Credit, if a parent is entitled to Universal Credit they must have an annual net earned income equivalent to and not exceeding £15,400, assessed on up to three of the parent’s most recent Universal Credit assessment periods.
- The children of the following families will be entitled to a funded place if their parents are working and meet similar low-level income requirements to others eligible for the scheme (for example: a household income of £15,400 a year or less after tax), that they:
- are excluded from claiming public funds due to their immigration status, or their lack of immigration status; and
- are in receipt of support under section 17 of the Children Act 1989.
Your child can also get funded early education at the age of two, if they:
- are looked after by the local council.
- have an Education, Health and Care Plan (ECHP).
- receive Disability Living Allowance.
- have left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order.
Once your child has been approved for funded early education they will continue to be funded even if your family does not meet the criteria at a later date.
Check:
- our 2 year old early education - myth busting page.
- the following YouTube video of 'A Slough parent champion talks about funded 2 year old early education'. Please note: If you access the video on YouTube the subtitles are auto generated. Some videos may not have subtitles and may autoplay.
Apply now
Your child will be able to start their funded early learning place from the beginning of the term after their second birthday.
You can apply in the term of your child's second birthday.
If you think you are eligible, you can check details and apply for the funded early learning place on Slough Borough Council website.
The details you provide will be used to check your eligibility. In some cases, further details and evidence of income may be required.
For more information or help to complete the application form, contact the:
- Family Information Service on 01753 476589
- Children’s Centres, Family Hubs on 01753 476566.
How to use the funded early education place
Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you will be able to look for an early education place that suits you and your child. Places are available at approved nurseries, pre-schools, children’s centres and childminders.
You can discuss the hours your child attends with your chosen early years’ provider. For example, you may choose to use 15 hours a week term-time only or fewer hours a week over a full year.
For help to find a place email FIS@slough.gov.uk, call the Slough Family Information Service on 01753 476589 or the Early Years Service on 01753 476554.