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Early education funding (EEF) for parents

Funded 2 year places - for families receiving additional government support

Some 2 year olds whose parents receive additional government support could eligible for 15 hours of early education funding. In Herefordshire this is called 'Best Start'. This could be taken as:

  • 15 hours of early education for 38 weeks (up to 570 hours per year),
  • Some providers will allow you to 'stretch' funding over more weeks per year but by using fewer hours per week. Check with your childcare provider about how they offer funded hours

Eligibility

If your family claim 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
  • Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax (but not both)
  • 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

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

  • Receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) *
  • Are looked after by a 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') *

Your 2 year old 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') *

*You will need to provide documentation as proof if you apply under these additional criteria. You can email the documentation to the EEF team at eef@herefordshire.gov.uk

Please note, if your circumstances change your funded hours will not be taken away.

When to apply

You can apply from the term your child turns 2 years old. When a turns 2 years old between:

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

How to apply

You can apply online by creating your own Citizen Portal Account:

Apply for Early Education Funding

Please navigate to the '2 Year Old Funding Application' button where you will be asked to create an account. You will need to provide the following information:

  • Your email address
  • Your full name (name as shown on your Universal Credit statements)
  • Your date of birth
  • Your address
  • Your National Insurance (NI) number or National Asylum Seeker Service (NASS) number
  • Your child's name
  • Your child's date of birth

It only takes a few minutes and allows you to instantly check eligibility, track your application and contact our EEF team.

Once you've applied and received your EY voucher code via email, take this to your childcare provider. As long as they have a place available they will check your EY voucher code, ask you to complete a parent declaration form and let you know when your child can start their funded place. If for any reason your application has been declined or you are having trouble navigating the site, please contact our education support team at EducationCYPD@herefordshire.gov.uk

Further information

Funding can be taken at:

  • Childminders
  • Day nurseries
  • Preschools

Visit the Herefordshire Early Years Education and Childcare Directory to search for early education providers who offer funded places.

Further information on this childcare funding scheme

If you do not meet the criteria for Best Start, you might be eligible for the working parent entitlement.