Who can receive free early learning
Free early learning places are available in Royal Greenwich for:
- some children aged 9 months and over
- some 2 year olds
- all 3 and 4 year olds
Free early learning for 2 year olds
Free early learning for 2 year olds is known as Together for Twos.
Eligibility
Your 2 year old may be eligible depends on certain criteria. This include if they have additional needs, and whether your family receive any of the following benefits:
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit (for annual gross income under £16,190)
- Universal Credit (if you and your partner are on a low income from work (this usually means a combined income of less than £15,400 a year after tax)
- Disability-related Working Tax Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Pension Credit Guarantee and Child Tax Credit
To find out more, contact your local children's centre or the Families Information Service.
Early learning providers
You can use free early learning places at a:
- registered childminder
- children's centre
- creche
- nursery
- pre-school playgroup.
Early learning places are free at the point of delivery so you should not be charged in advance for your place.
Starting early learning
Eligible 2 year olds can start free early learning after their second birthday. If their birthday is between:
- 1 April and 31 August, they can start on 1 September
- 1 September and 31 December, they can start 1 January
- 1 January and 31 March, they can start 1 April
Allocated hours
Your child will be allocated up to 15 hours a week of early learning, for 38 weeks a year.
You can spread the hours over 3 days a week or more.
You can spread the hours between more than one provider if you wish.
Apply now
Free early learning for 3 and 4-year-olds
Free early learning places are available in Royal Greenwich for all 3 and 4-year-olds.
Your early learning provider will claim funding for the free hours on your child's behalf.
Early learning providers
You can use free early learning places at a:
- private or independent nursery
- nursery school or nursery class at a primary school
- pre-school playgroup
- children's centre
- specially accredited registered childminder
Early learning places are free at the point of delivery so you should not be charged in advance for your place.
Starting early learning
3 and 4-year-olds can start free early learning after their third birthday. If their birthday is between:
- 1 April and 31 August, they can start on 1 September
- 1 September and 31 December, they can start 1 January
- 1 January and 31 March, they can start 1 April
During the term before you want a place, it's important that you check:
- your child's eligibility
- your chosen provider has a place available
Allocated hours
You're child will be allocated up to 15 hours a week of early learning, for 38 weeks a year.
You can spread the hours over 3 days a week or more.
Extended funding for working families
Some working parents of children aged between 9 months and 4 years old may be eligible for 15 hours childcare support.
By September 2025, eligible working families with children aged between 9 months and 4 years old will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week.
Depending on your provider, these hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year, or up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week.
You can spread the hours between more than one provider if you wish.
If you're claiming 15 or 30 hours entitlement, you'll need to renew your eligibility code every 3 months.