Some two year olds are entitled to 15 hours of Funded Entitlement (FE) per week over 38 weeks per year. This is known as TWO YEAR OLD FUNDING.
Please speak to the childcare provider (playgroup, nursery or childminder) to discuss whether they offer 15 hours term time only (38 weeks) or a stretched offer (less hours the week but stretched across the year).
Your funded hours can be used at either a:
Quality early years care can help your child:
It can also help you:
HMRC includes the costs of childcare in their calculations. If you already pay for childcare and you claim child tax credit to cover the costs of the childcare you need to notify HMRC as soon as possible if by using the funded childcare for your 2 year old reduces the cost of your childcare bill by £10 or more a week.
If you are already using childcare, and wish to use the funded hours to increase the number of childcare hours your child attends and there is no change to the amount you are paying, you do not need to contact HMRC. Tax credits only contribute to some of the cost of childcare and not all of it. In this situation, where you wish to increase the amount of hours your child attends childcare, you will be better off taking up the funded place as well as receiving child tax credit.
Further guidance and information is available in HMRC's guidance for parents:
The table shows when eligible children can start their funded place (this is the term after their 2nd birthday):
A child who is 2 in: |
Can start their funded place from: |
January February or March |
The start of the summer term |
April, May, June, July or August |
The start of the autumn term |
September, October, November or December |
The start of the spring term |
View and complete the online form to find out if you are eligible or to apply.
If you have received a letter confirming your two year old is eligible to receive funded childcare, show your letter to the early years childcare provider you would like your child to attend.
If you don't know what childcare is available in your area contact York Family Information Service for a tailored list of Ofsted Registered childcare providers eligible to offer funded places for two year olds. The childcare providers must be Ofsted registered as Good or Outstanding to offer a funded place.
If you need help completing the online form or not sure if you should apply, please contact York Family Information Service 01904 554444 / fis@york.gov.uk