Funded 2 year places - for families receiving support

2 year-olds whose parents receive additional government support could be eligible for 15 hours of early education funding for up to 570 hours a year. In Staffordshire this is called 'Think2'. Funding could be accessed as:

• 15 hours of early education for 38 weeks,
• 'Stretch’ funding by taking fewer hours per week but over more weeks of the year. Not all childcare providers can supply this offer, so check with your provider.

If the family claims any one of the following, your 2-year-old could be eligible:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax and NI contributions, and not including benefits
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

Non-economic Criteria

2-year-olds could also be eligible if they meet any of the following non-economic criteria:

• attract Disability Living Allowance (DLA) *
• are looked after by their local authority *
• have left care through special guardianship or through an adoption or residence order *
• have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) *

If you’re a non-EEA citizen who cannot claim benefits

• claimed asylum in the UK and are waiting for a decision (known as ‘part 6’) *
• been refused asylum in the UK (known as 'section 4') *

A 2-year-old you care for may also get funded childcare if your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, and you have any of the following:

• leave to remain with 'no recourse to public funds' on family or private life grounds *
• support from your local council because you have ‘a child in need’, for example they have a disability or a child protection plan *
• the right to live in the UK because you’re the main carer of a British citizen (known as a ‘Zambrano Carer’) *

* Documentation will be required as proof where an application is made against these additional criteria. Copies of the documentation can be posted or emailed to our team. You can find our contact details on the Think2 contact us page.

Please note: If your circumstances change your funded hours will not be taken away.

When could my child be eligible?

Children could access funding from the term after turning 2 year olds if it is confirmed the family has met the eligibility criteria. Children turning 2 years old between:

• 1 January - 31 March - could start funding from the following summer term (from 1 April)
• 1 April - 31 August - could start funding from the following autumn term (from 1 September)
• 1 September - 31 December -  could start funding from the following spring term (from 1 January)

Applications can be made from the term a child turns 2-years-old.

If successful, parents must give their confirmation code to their childcare provider.

Funded hours can be accessed at most childcare providers, such as:

• childminders,
• pre-schools,
• nurseries - both private and school run.
• some out of school clubs

Look for childcare options in your area.

Some families could be eligible for 30 funded hours.

Working parents could be eligible for both Think2 and the Working Parent Entitlement. Parent must meet the criteria and apply for the working parent entitlement via the government website Best Start in Life.

Successful applicants will receive another confirmation code that parents must give to the childcare provider.

Additional Support and Combining Schemes

Early Years Pupil Premium - families could receive some additional funding to support the education of their child.

Disability Access Fund - settings who have children who receive Disability Living Allowance could be eligible for some funding to make reasonable adjustments to the provision and improve access.

 Extra help with childcare costs - as well as funded hours parents could get help with additional childcare costs. This could be through Tax Free Childcare or Universal Credit.

What is funding for and how can families use it?

• Frequently asked questions about how families can use and access their funded hours.

• Funded hours are to pay for a number of hours a child attends a provider for quality early education. It therefore does not cover:
  • meals
  • nappies
  • additional hours over and above the funded entitlement
  • school based early years provision
  • additional activities, such as trips

However, access to these extras must not be mandatory or a condition of accessing a funded place. Parents should speak to their childcare provider about extra services or alternative options.

• Not eligible for Think2? -  if you do not meet the criteria for Think2, you might be eligible for 30 hours through working parent entitlement. See our working parent entitlement page for more details