Does your two year old qualify for free early years education?

If your child is two and......

• you have other older children and are entitled to free school meals for them or
• you receive any of the following
  • Income Support:
  • Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit, and have an annual income as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £16,190
  • Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after employment finishes
• the child is looked after by a local authority for instance a fostered child

You are likely to qualify for 15 hours per week of early education for your child which can be taken over a minimum of two days.

Contact your Health Visitor or your local Children's Centre who will complete an application form for you. Childcare providers can also make an application on your behalf.

Once approved, the places are generally available from the term after your child is two until the end of the term after their third birthday (at which point they automatically qualify for the free 15 hours per week early education places available to all three and four year olds) . We will try and ensure that the place is located as conveniently and as flexibly as possible to suit your needs but places at individual childcare providers will be subject to availability.

For more information on Free early years provision for 3 and 4 year olds please click here.

For information about and contact details for Children's Centres in Southend please click here