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GrantEngland

15 Hours Free Childcare for 2 Year Olds on Extra Support (England)

Department for Education (via local councils)

At a glance

Who it's for
Individuals and households on a low income in England. Full eligibility rules are below.
What you get
15 free hours a week for 38 weeks a year
How to claim
Contact your local council's early years team or Family Information Service, close to your child's second birthday.
Where
England
Deadline
No fixed deadline

Description

15 hours a week of free early education and childcare, for 38 weeks a year, for 2 year olds in England whose families get certain benefits or who have extra needs. It's separate from the working-parents scheme and has its own, lower-income route: for example, Universal Credit households with take-home income of £15,400 a year or less. Children with an EHC plan, those getting Disability Living Allowance, and children in or adopted from care qualify regardless of family income.

Amount

15 free hours a week for 38 weeks a year

Deadline

Rolling / no fixed deadline

Eligibility summary

  • Available in: England.
  • Open to individuals — not restricted to businesses.
  • Relevant income bands: earning under the Personal Allowance.
Notes
Verified Oct 2026 directly on gov.uk's 'Free education and childcare for 2-year-olds if you get extra support' page. Apply close to the second birthday: birthdays 1 September–31 December can apply from 1 September with hours from 1 January; 1 January–31 March from 1 January with hours from 1 April; 1 April–31 August from 1 April with hours from 1 September. If the family also qualifies for the working-parents scheme, gov.uk says to apply for this one first. The DLA/EHC plan routes make this relevant to disabled children too. Not modelled on Profile.ageBand, since eligibility turns on the child's age.
Requirement
One of: you get Universal Credit with household income of £15,400 a year or less after tax (not counting benefits); Income Support; income-based Jobseeker's Allowance; income-related ESA; or the guarantee element of Pension Credit. Or your child has an education, health and care (EHC) plan, gets Disability Living Allowance, is looked after by a local authority, or has left care through an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order. Families who can't claim benefits because of their immigration status can qualify with take-home income of no more than £26,500 (one child) or £30,600 (two or more) outside London, or £34,500 / £38,600 in London, and savings of £16,000 or less.

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How to apply

Contact your local council's early years team or Family Information Service, close to your child's second birthday. Hours must be used with a registered provider such as a nursery, playgroup, childminder or school.

View official source

Last verified: 25 October 2026. See the footer disclaimer — this is general information, not financial or tax advice.