Funded Early Learning and Childcare for 2 year olds

Who is eligible?

Some 2 year old children are eligible for a funded placement of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC).

Are you in receipt of one of the benefits below?  If yes, your 2 year old child will be eligible for a funded ELC place;

  • Income Support (IS)
  • Job Seeker's Allowance (income based)
  • Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
  • Incapacity or Severe Disablement Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credits (CTC), but not Working Tax Credit, and your income is less than £16,105*
  • Both maximum CTC and Maximum Working Tax Credit and your income is under £6,420*
  • Support is under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • Universal Credit (you can claim this if your income is less than £610 a month)

Funded early learning and childcare is also available if your child is 2 or over and is or, since they turned 2, has been:

  • looked after by a local council
  • the subject of a kinship care order
  • the subject of a guardianship order

* The income thresholds for Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit can vary annually.

2 year old children become eligible for funded ELC dependant on their month of birth as outlined below:

  • 1 March - 31 August = August term
  • 1 September - 31 December = January term
  • 1 January - 28/29 February = Easter term

Parents/carers should contact the Early Years Helpline on 01369 708503 or email earlyyears@argyll-bute.gov.uk and request an application pack.

Please note further information on early years including childcare can be found on Scottish Family Information Service or call 01369 708517.