The Early Learning Programme (ELP) for 2 year olds is a Government initiative that provides free childcare places for eligible 2 year olds. Eligible children will be entitled up to 15 hours per week of free early education for a total of 38 weeks. Free places are available in participating childcare providers across the city.
There are two schemes under which 2 year old children can qualify:
- This webpage is for families, receiving some benefits or additional forms of government support (for example, if you are receiving Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax).
- There is also another offer for working parents of 2 year olds (working parents who each earn more than £8,670 or 16 hours at the National Minimum Wage - but less than £100,000 per year, will be eligible). To find out more go to Free childcare for working parents of 2 year olds
Are you Eligible?
By clicking on the link below you can quickly check whether your child is eligible for a free place. It takes only a few minutes and you'll get an answer straight away. If eligible you will be able to download a confirmation letter, which you can take to participating Childcare providers to claim a free place for your child.
Should you experience any problems with your application, please contact the Families Information Service on telephone: 0115 8765910
If you are a childcare provider applying on behalf of a parent, please click here.
Search here for childcare providers (Search result opens in new window)
Eligibility Criteria
The child must live in the Nottingham City Council Area.
If you are a Nottinghamshire County Council resident, please click here.
Your child will be entitled to a free place from the school term after their 2nd birthday.
If your child's 2nd birthday falls between | They will be entitled to their free place from |
1st January to 31st March |
1st April |
1st April to 31st August |
1st September |
1st September to 31st December |
1st January |
Your 2-year-old can get free childcare if you live in England and get any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (or both), and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
- the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
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
- have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
You may have to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies or trips.
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:
- £26,500 for families outside of London with one child
- £34,500 for families within London with one child
- £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
- £38,600 for families within London with two or more children
You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.
If you need any support, please contact the Families Information Service on Tel: 0115 8765910