Talking 2's - 15 hours funded childcare for Families in Receipt of Additional Support (FRAS)
Families in Receipt of Additional Support (FRAS) provide eligible 2-year-olds with up to 15 hours of funded childcare per week for 38 weeks a year, totalling 570 hours annually the term after their 2nd birthday. Eligibility is based on the child receiving certain benefits, having an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, receiving Disability Living Allowance, or being in local authority care. You can apply for this funding through your local council, which will check your eligibility based on your child's circumstances and your income.
Flexible offer:
Funded childcare places can be taken flexibly between 6am and 8pm however the following applies:
- no session to be longer than 10 hours
- no minimum session length (subject to the requirements of registration on the Ofsted Early Years Register)
- not before 6am or after 8pm
- a maximum of two sites in a single day.
Where sessional care is offered these can be:
- 5 hours per day over 3 days
- 3 hours per day over 5 days.
Funded places can be delivered:
- over up to 52 weeks of the year if the parents is stretching their child's entitlement
- outside of maintained school term times
- at weekends.
| A CHILD BORN IN THE PERIOD | WILL BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR A FUNDED PLACE |
|---|---|
| 1 April - 31 August | Start of Autumn term (following child's 2nd birthday) |
| 1 September - 31 December | Start of Spring term (following child's 2nd birthday) |
| 1 January - 31 March | Start of Summer term (following child's 2nd birthday) |
Choosing childcare
- Visit the Live Well Telford website to find a nursery provider.
- View information about financial support and help with childcare costs.
For more information about the different types of childcare and childminding available to you or what offer is available in your choice of provision please contact the Family Connect team or download our leaflet:
Telephone: 01952 385385
Email: familyconnect@telford.gov.uk.
Last updated : 5 November 2025
Your 2 year old can get a funded childcare place if you live in England and get any of these following extra support:
Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax (not including benefit payments)
Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
you get the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Specialist Criteria includes but is not limited to:
you are looked after by a local authority
have a statement of special educational needs, or an education, health and care (EHC) plan or under the Child Development Centre (MDA)
receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
involved with additional services such as Portage, Social Care or Family Hubs.
If you’re a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits
If your immigration status says you cannot claim benefits you may still get free childcare for your 2 year old.
Your household income after tax 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’re working
If you get extra support and you work, you may qualify for an extra 15 hours of free childcare. Find out more about Free Childcare for Working Parents.
If you qualify for both schemes, you should apply for this one first.
You may have to pay for extra costs such as meals, nappies and trips.
Contact your childcare provider, Family Connect on 01952 385385 or visit the Live Well Telford website for a list of childcare providers.
If you're a non-EEA citizen who cannot claim benefits
Your 2 year old may get a funded place if you receive support under the immigration and Asylum Act and have either:
- 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').
Visit the GOV.UK website for information about the immigration and Asylum Act
A 2 year old you care for may also get funded childcare if your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax and you have either:
- leave to remain with 'no recourse to public funds' on family or private life grounds
- the right to live in the UK because you're the main carer of a British citizen (known as a 'Zambrano Carer').
Last updated : 5 November 2025
Welcome to the New Talking 2s Parent Portal
Parents/carers applying under the financial criteria should apply using the online Parent Portal:
Visit the Parent Portal to apply for a Talking 2's place under the financial criteria
Download the Parent Portal user guide (.pdf Size: 714Kb)
Parents/carers applying under the specialist or additional criteria should complete our online form:
If you are eligible you will receive a code which you must take to the childcare provider of your choice.
If you are applying under the special needs, disability living allowance or looked after children criteria, please contact the childcare provider of your choice directly who will take you the process manually and confirm if eligible.
Last updated : 5 September 2024