There are several types of early education funding available:
Your 2-year-old can get free childcare if you live in England and get any of the following benefits:
2-year-olds can also get free childcare if they are looked after by a local authority, have an education, health and care (EHC) plan, get Disability Living Allowance or have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order.
If you’re a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits - If your immigration status says you have ‘no recourse to public funds’, you may still get free childcare for your 2-year-old. You must live in England and your household income must be no more than:
You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.
You can apply for 2-year-old funding online – you will receive an immediate response. You will need your national insurance number, plus evidence to support your application. If you need any help with your 2-year-old funding application or have any queries, please contact Portsmouth City Council via email at 2yroldfunding@portsmouthcc.gov.uk and an officer will contact you. Alternatively you can contact them by telephone on 023 9284 1974.
All 3 to 4-year-olds in England can get 570 free hours per year. As Highbury is a term-time only nursery, this can be taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. You can get it from the term after your child’s 3rd birthday. We apply for the funding on your behalf by way of submitting a Funding Declaration Form which you are required to sign.
You may be able to get 30 hours free childcare if:
Your eligibility depends on whether you are working, your income (and your partner’s income, if you have one), your child’s age and circumstances and your immigration status. If you are working you can usually get 30 hours free childcare if you (and your partner, if you have one) are:
If you’re on adoption leave for a child aged 3 to 4 years old, you must return to work within 31 days of the date you first apply for 30 hours free childcare for that child.
If you are not currently working you may still be eligible if your partner is working, and you get Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.
Apply for 2-year-old funding online
Apply Online for 30 Hours Free Childcare