Who is eligible?
Your 2 year old child will be eligible for a funded ELC place, if you are in receipt of one of these benefits:
- Income Support (IS)
- Job Seeker's Allowance (income based)
- Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
- Incapacity benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance
- State pension Credit
- Universal credit - where household earned income is £850 or less per month* (Income threshold varies annually)
- Support is under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
A two year old funded ELC placement is available to children who are care experienced, or have a parent with experience of care:
- A child who is or has been:
- looked after by a local council (care experienced)
- the subject of a kinship care order
- with a parent-appointed guardian
- A parent who has experience of care
When could they start?
For eligible children, this is based upon which month they turn two in:
- 1 March - day before August term = August term
- First day of August term - 31 December = January term
- 1 January - End of February = Easter term
How do I apply?
When your child has turned two, please contact Early Years (01369 708503 or earlyyears@argyll-bute.gov.uk) to request an application pack. Please read this carefully for guidance on providing the correct 3 supporting documents.
Please make sure your first choice ELC setting provides this for 2 year olds, not all ELC settings do. You can use the 'Funded ELC for 2 Year Olds' filter on our Childcare Provider search to find a suitable ELC setting.
To submit an application you will require:
- a copy of your child's birth certificate (do not send us originals)
- evidence for why you are eligible
- a proof of address letter (dated within 3 months) with your name on. If you are applying using a universal credit statement or benefits letter as evidence, this will meet the proof of address requirement also.
