Who can receive free early learning
Free early learning places are available in Royal Greenwich for:
- some 2-year-olds
- all 3 and 4-year-olds
Your early learning provider will claim funding for the free hours on your child's behalf.
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 on specific dates after their second birthday:
- birthday between 1 April and 31 August - they can start on 1 September following their second birthday
- birthday between 1 September and 31 December - they can start 1 January following their second birthday
- birthday between 1 January and 31 March - they can start 1 April following their second birthday
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.
Early ;earning 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 on specific dates after their third birthday:
- birthday between 1 April and 31 August - they can start on 1 September following their second birthday
- birthday between 1 September and 31 December - they can start 1 January following their second birthday
- birthday between 1 January and 31 March - they can start 1 April following their second birthday
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. Some working families may be eligible for 30 hours a week.
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.
If you're claiming 30 hours entitlement, you'll need to renew your eligibility code every 3 months.