Introduction
Families with 2-year-old children who meet the criteria below can apply for funding. We will pay for a place for up to 570 hours over the year at a registered childcare provider. A maximum of 15 hours per week is available.
Children become eligible in the funding period after their second birthday.
The funding periods are:
- Spring 1 January to 31 March
- Summer 1 April to 31 August
- Autumn 1 September to 31 December
Eligibility
Parents or carers who receive any of the following are entitled to Early Learning for 2-year-olds funding:
- Universal Credit – if they or their partner have a combined income from work of less than £15,400 a year after tax
- Income Support (IS)
- Employment Support Allowance (Income Related) – not Contribution related
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance (IBJSA) – not Contribution based
- Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Children are entitled if they are 2 and:
- Receive Disability Living Allowance
- Are in care of the Local Authority
- Have been adopted, or who have left care through special guardianship or child arrangement orders
- Have an Education, Health and Care Plan
How to apply
Evidence will only need to be sent without prior request if an application is made and the child qualifies by receiving Disability Living Allowance. In this case, a copy of the latest award letter from the Department for Work and Pensions will need to be submitted before the application can be processed. We recommend attaching the evidence to the form at the time of application.
If the parent is submitting the application online, they can send a copy to freeschoolmeals@somerset.gov.uk or post a copy to Entitlements Team, County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY.
If the parent or carer is successful, they will be notified in writing and we will send them a list of approved providers in their area.
Ask the parent or carer for their acceptance letter and a copy of their child’s birth certificate or passport before offering them a funded 2-year-old place at your establishment. If the date of birth on the letter is not the same as the date of birth on the legal documentation, contact us immediately at 01823 357039, as the child may not be eligible on the date stated on the acceptance letter.
Families with no recourse to public funds
Children of families who have no recourse to public funds, and therefore do not receive any of the above benefits, may also qualify for early learning for 2 year olds. Please go to Early Learning for 2-year-olds for more information and an application form.
Important information
Only settings meeting certain Ofsted requirements can take new children awarded Early Learning for 2 year olds funding. Providers must apply to Somerset Council in order to take 2 year olds awarded Early Learning for 2 year olds funding.
Providers are entitled to charge for any hours accessed over the early years entitlement. Providers may also charge for additional services, such as food. These charges must be made clear to parents in advance, be clearly defined on the bill and must be voluntary. Your prospectus or fees policy must show how fees are charged.
If they have been offered Early Learning for 2-year-olds funding, this will continue, even if their circumstances change, until their child can claim the Early Years Entitlement aged 3.
You can find more information on our Early years entitlement information for providers page or phone 0300 123 2224 or email eyfunding@somerset.gov.uk.
Some families will qualify for both the early learning and the working families entitlement. In this instance, families will receive 570 hours early learning entitlement and 570 hours working families entitlement per year. The early learning entitlement must be claimed first.