Funded childcare for eligible 2 year olds
What is this for?
Your 2-year-old can get free childcare if you live in England and get one 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
- 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)
2-year-olds can also get free 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
If you’re a non-EEA citizen who cannot claim benefits:
Your 2-year-old may get free childcare if you are getting support under the Immigration and Asylum Act and have either:
- claimed asylum in the UK and are waiting for a decision (known as ‘part 6’)
- been refused asylum in the UK (known as ‘section 4’)
A 2-year-old you care for may also get free childcare if your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, and you have either:
- leave to remain with ‘no recourse to public funds’ on family or private life grounds
- support from your local council because you have ‘a child in need’, for example they have a disability or a child protection plan
- the right to live in the UK because you’re the main carer of a British citizen (known as a ‘Zambrano Carer’)
When should I see if my child is eligible?
| If your child's 2nd birthday is on or between: | Earliest date you can see if your eligible from: |
| 1 January - 31 March | beginning of January |
| 1 April - 31 August | beginning of April |
| 1 September - 31 December | beginning of September |
Please do not make an application prior to the earliest date shown above.
What is it going to cost?
Free
What we need from you
Please complete the form by selecting Do it Now and supply any supporting documentation which is requested within the form to 2yearoldfunding@doncaster.gov.uk
What you should expect from us
If you are successful you will receive an eligibility letter with a reference number to take to your chosen childcare provider.