Best Start for Twos: 2 year old early learning entitlement
Eligible families who have 2-year-old children and are receiving some additional forms of support can get 15 hours of funded childcare a week for 38 weeks. The maximum each year is 570 hours.
You can get funded childcare from the term after your child's 2nd birthday, as long as you have got a valid eligibility code.
- check the eligibility criteria on the government website
- apply online for your eligibility code on the Southend Citizen Portal
- take your code to your childcare provider
- childcare entitlements frequently asked questions on the Best Start in Life website
When can I apply and when can my child start?
You can apply during the term in which your child turns 2 years old. If you are eligible, the offer will start the term after from 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following your child's 2nd birthday.
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If my child turns 2 years old between |
I can access their funded hours from |
|---|---|
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1 January to 31 March |
Term starting on or after 1 April |
|
1 April to 31 August |
Term starting on or after 1 September |
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1 September to 31 December |
Term starting on or after 1 January |
I have an eligible code, what do I do now?
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Find a childcare provider that delivers funded early education places. You can use the childcare provider directory to find local early years and childcare providers
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Take your eligibility code to your childcare provider
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Ask your childcare provider how the funded hours can be taken and ask about any additional charges that may apply in addition to the funded hours
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Your childcare provider will ask you to complete a ‘Parent Declaration Form’. This form authorises your childcare provider to claim funding from the Council for the funded hours your child gets
What the entitlement covers
Government funding is intended to pay for 15 or 30 hours a week of free, high quality, flexible childcare.
Government funding does not cover
- meals
- nappies
- additional hours
- additional activities, such as trips, pick up and collection from another provider, forest school, beach trips
So, you might be asked to pay for these things, but you can speak to your provider about what alternative options they may have. For example, instead of paying for nappies if your child needs them, your childcare provider should allow you to provide your own nappies for your child.
Information about how we use your personal data and the data about your child can be found on the Early Education Funding Privacy Notice