Funded Childcare for 2-Year-Olds
Funded early education hours for 2-year-olds in families claiming certain benefits or on a low income.
Last updated: 6 October 2026
What it is about
2-year-olds can get 15 hours a week of free childcare and early education in England if their family gets certain benefits or has a low income.
If you're working, you usually don't need this route. Working families can already get 30 funded hours a week from 9 months. See funded childcare for working parents from 9 months.
What is involved
You can get 15 funded hours a week for your 2-year-old if you get any of these:
- Universal Credit with a household income of £15,400 a year or less after tax
- Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or guaranteed Pension Credit
There are also different income thresholds for non-UK citizens who cannot claim benefits (e.g., £26,500 outside London with one child, and up to £38,600 in London with two or more children).
Working families usually qualify through the working-parent route from 9 months instead, which gives 30 hours a week.
Note: We don't model the benefits-based or non-UK citizen routes, so please check those thresholds directly on GOV.UK.
Timeframes
If eligible, funding starts from the start of the term following your child's 2nd birthday. We calculate this specific term start date for you.
What you benefit from
You get 15 hours a week of free childcare for 38 weeks of the year. You can also choose to stretch these hours out over more weeks by using fewer hours per week.