Logo for Talking 2sParents or carers of families who are in receipt of additional forms of support and have a two year old are potentially eligible for a funded early learning place to fund childcare sessions for upto 15 hours per week a maximum of 570 hours per year from the term after their second birthday.

View information about 15 hours funded childcare for 2 year olds to check if you are eligible to apply for funded early learning places for 2 year olds

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.
This table shows when a child becomes eligible for a 2 year old funded place
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

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:

Download our Talking 2's information leaflet for more information about the different types of childcare and childminding available to you (.pdf Size: 580Kb)

Telephone: 01952 385385
Email: familyconnect@telford.gov.uk.

Last updated : 24 April 2025

Your 2 year old can get a funded childcare place if you live in England and get one of these following benefits:

  • income support
  • income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
  • income-rated Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • the guaranteed element of  State Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit and have an annual income of no more than £16,190 as assessed by Her Majesty;s Revenues and Customs
  • The Working Tax Credit four-week run-on (the payment someone receives a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
  • Universal Credit (Full Service only) a parent will appear if they are entitled to universal Credit and have an annual net earned income equivalent to and not exceeding £15,400 assess on up to three of the parents most recent Universal Credit Assessment periods or 
  • If the child attacts the Disability Living Allowance.

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
  • 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.

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').

Visit the GOV.UK website for more information about applying for a permit to join EU or EEA family member in the UK

Visit the GOV.UK website for more information about leave to remain with 'no recourse to public funds' on family or private life grounds

Last updated : 24 April 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: 

Complete the online form to apply for a Talking 2's place under the specialist or additional criteria

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