15 free hours childcare for two year olds
New funding entitlements for working parents from April 2024
From April 2024 - eligible working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare.
Two Year Old Offer
For families in England, receiving some additional forms of government support Children aged 2 years.
Your two year old may be eligible for 15 hours free early education each week, in a high quality childcare setting (nursery or childminder), for 38 weeks, if they meet certain eligibility criteria and their family is receiving additional support from the Government.
You may be entitled to free 15 hours free childcare...
If you are in receipt of certain benefits, have incomes of £16,190 as a household income a year or less. Or you are claiming and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax (not including benefit payments). For a full list of criteria please visit the Government Two Year Old page
How to apply for your child’s free place
You can apply online now at Knowsley Parent Portal, if you have any questions about your application or need support please contact our Early Years Placement Officer on 0151 443 5633 (Option 5), please note you need to create a separate application for each individual child you wish to claim for.
You can only apply here for 2 Year old funding if you want to access a Knowsley childcare provision.
When you have submitted your application, click on 'Your account' tab along the top and 'My applications' to check the status of you application.
Please note that places will only be made to settings within Knowsley,
if you wish to apply outside the borough you must contact that local authority.
When is my child eligible?
If your child’s 2nd birthday falls between 1 January – 31 March, you may be entitled to free 15 hours childcare from the start of the Summer Term (April) - Apply term before 1 January
If your child’s 2nd birthday falls between 1 April – 31 August, you may be entitled to free 15 hours childcare from the start of the Autumn Term (September) - Apply term before 1 April
If your child’s 2nd birthday falls between 1 September – 31 December, you may be entitled to free 15 hours childcare from the start of the Spring Term (January) - - Apply term before 1 September
*Please note any applications received after the the closing dates can also start the week after half term (February, May, October) if eligible.
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Children offered a place will be registered with the Early Years Service and families will be able to benefit from a range of services within their local centres.
Children who are accessing a two year old place will then move automatically onto their three year old funded entitlement in either a private and voluntary nursery, childminder or school, which is available for a maximum of 15 hours a week. This transition will be carefully planned and managed to meet each child’s individual needs.