Flying Start funding for 2 year olds
Eligibility criteria
If you are not working or have a low household income the Flying Start offer might be right for you. If you are eligible your child could receive 570 hours of funded early learning childcare. This means 570 hours per year equivalent to a maximum of 15 hours per week.
There are three different funding offers to apply for. Please select the most relevant to your family circumstances.
Your child’s place using the funded early learning childcare offers is funded by the Government. However, this Government funding does not cover:
- meals and nappies
- a registration or administration fee
- additional activities, such as trips
- extra hours due to the pattern of attendance.
We recommend that these extras are confirmed in writing before you take up your child’s place and itemised on the invoice your provider gives you. Some providers may let you bring a packed lunch if the cost of their lunch is a barrier to you taking a place.
Offer 1 - in receipt of certain economic benefits
Your 2 year old can get funded early learning and childcare if you live in England and if you get any of the following extra support:
- you get Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax (not including benefit payments)
- you get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- you get the guaranteed element of Pension Credit.
Offer 2 - those with additional criterion
Your 2 year old can get funded early learning and childcare if they have one or more of the following:
- Is looked after by a local authority including fostered.
- Has an education, health and care (EHC) plan, also known as an EHCP.
- Gets Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
- Has left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order.
- No recourse to public funds.
If you’re a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits and your immigration status says you have ‘no recourse to public funds’, you may still get funded early learning 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.
- £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children.
You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.
Foster parents
As a foster parent you will automatically be entitled to a Flying Start place. You will be entitled to 570 hours of Flying Start funding.
If you are a working foster parent and your child is 9 months and above, you might be eligible for 1140 hours of funded early learning childcare. This means 1140 hours per year equivalent to a maximum of 30 hours per week. In Derby, this is called Take Off funding for 9 month to 4 year olds.
When does a Flying Start funded early learning childcare place start?
If you are entitled, your child can start the term after they turn two and finish at the end of the term in which they turn three. All families are eligible for 570 hours of funded three and four year old childcare, find out more about 3 and 4 year old childcare.
- If your child's birthday falls between 1 January and 31 March, they are eligible in the summer term after their second birthday.
- If your child's birthday falls between 1 April and 31 August, they are eligible in the autumn term after their second birthday.
- If your child's birthday falls between 1 September and 31 December, they are eligible in the spring term after their second birthday.
Getting a place
Have a look at our Childcare Directory to see all the providers offering funded places in your area.
If you have a question or comment regarding finding suitable childcare, please contact us online.