15 funded hours for 2-year-olds
Which 2-year-olds can get 15 funded hours a week in England through Early Learning for 2 year olds, how it differs from the working-parent hours, and how to apply.
By The Toddly editorial team · Last updated 11 November 2026
There are two different routes to funded childcare for a 2-year-old in England, and they are easy to confuse:
- Free Childcare for Working Parents gives up to 30 hours a week from 9 months to working families who meet the income rules. See 30 hours from 9 months.
- Early Learning for 2 year olds gives 15 hours a week to 2-year-olds in families on certain benefits, or with extra needs. That is the scheme this guide is about.
What you get
- 15 hours a week for 38 weeks a year (570 hours), or fewer hours over more weeks if your provider offers it.
- From the term after your child’s 2nd birthday: 1 January, 1 April or 1 September.
- At a registered nursery, pre-school, childminder or school nursery that offers places for 2-year-olds.
When your child turns 3 they move onto the universal 15 hours for 3 and 4-year-olds.
Who qualifies
Your child can get the 15 hours if you get one of the following:
- Universal Credit, with household take-home pay of £15,400 a year or less after tax, not counting benefit payments
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Some other circumstances also qualify. Check the full list on gov.uk or ask your council.
Your child also qualifies, whatever your income, if they:
- have an education, health and care plan (EHC plan)
- get Disability Living Allowance
- are looked after by the council
- have left care through an adoption order, special guardianship order or child arrangements order
How to apply
You apply to your local council, usually its early years team or Family Information Service, not to HMRC. Some councils write to eligible families; most have an online form. Once approved you get a letter or code to show the nursery.
The start dates follow the term-after-birthday rule:
| Child turns 2 | Hours can start |
|---|---|
| 1 September to 31 December | 1 January |
| 1 January to 31 March | 1 April |
| 1 April to 31 August | 1 September |
Our funded hours start date tool gives the exact dates for your child.
Getting up to 30 hours
If you qualify for Early Learning for 2 year olds and are also eligible for the working-parent scheme, you can get 15 hours a week through each, making 30 hours. You apply for the 2-year-old hours first, through your council, and keep them even if you later stop qualifying for the working-parent hours.
Finding a place
Not every nursery offers funded 2-year-old places, and some have limited numbers. Ask early. Our area pages let you filter for nurseries with funded places for 2-year-olds, and our funded hours by borough pages show how many accept each scheme.
Funded hours are free, but nurseries can charge for optional extras such as meals and nappies. They should offer an alternative, such as bringing your own, and cannot make paying a condition of the funded place. See extras and consumables charges.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, try the funded hours checker or ask your council’s Family Information Service, which can also help you find a place.
Put it to use
Frequently asked questions
Who can get 15 hours for a 2-year-old?
Families on certain benefits, including Universal Credit with household take-home pay of £15,400 a year or less (not counting benefits), and children with an EHC plan, Disability Living Allowance, or who are or have been in care.
Do I apply to HMRC?
No. You apply to your local council for Early Learning for 2 year olds. The working-parent hours are the ones you apply to HMRC for.
Can I get both the 2-year-old hours and working-parent hours?
Yes, in some cases. If you qualify for Early Learning for 2 year olds and also for the working-parent scheme, you can get 15 hours through each, up to 30 hours a week.