Free education and childcare for 2-year-olds

Parents can take advantage of free education and childcare for 2-year-old children.

If they meet certain criteria, they will be entitled to 15 hours a week of care for 38 weeks of the year.

Your child is entitled to a place if:

 
• Household income

a) You already claim free school meals for a child in your family

b) You claim the following:

   *  Income support
  
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
  
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  
• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (Asylum Seeker)
  
• State Pension Credit - guarantee element

 
c) You are entitled to Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit and your
household income is less than £16,190.
  
• This includes the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).


 
• SEN/Disability

d) The child you are claiming for has an Education, Health and Care plan or Statement of Special Educational Needs.

e) The child you are claiming for receives Disability Living Allowance.

 
• Other

f) The child you are claiming for is adopted or has a Special Guardianship Order (SGO).

g) The child you are claiming for has a child protection plan (this may not be applicable in areas other than Bury).

h) The child you are claiming for is looked after by the local authority.

If you think you might qualify, you need to fill in an online referral form atwww.bury.gov.uk/EEC 

Alternatively, you can complete a referral form at your local children's centre or through a professional such as a health visitor or social worker.

If you are eligible, you will be sent all the information you need for your child to access their place. It's simple and straightforward and you won't have to get involved in making any payments to your chosen childcare provider as they will get the money directly from the council.

The free place starts from the term after your child's second birthday.

ENDS

Press release issued: 1 July 2014.