There are two different schemes for 15 hours of funded childcare - one for families receiving some additional forms of government support, and another for working parents.
Each scheme has a different application process, so it is important to use the correct one for the scheme you are eligible for. If you are eligible for both schemes, please apply for the funding for families receiving some additional forms of government support.
2-year-old Funding
Funded Early Education and Childcare for 2-year-olds is for families in England, receiving some additional forms of government support. The scheme allows children who meet the criteria to receive 15 hours of funded childcare per week, for 38 weeks of the year.
Your child may be eligible if you are in receipt of one of the below:
- Income Support
- Income based Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- The Guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit Working Tax Credit (or Both), and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
- The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).
Or the child must:
- Be a looked after child/in foster care
- Have a current statement of special educational needs (SEN) or an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- Be eligible for Disability Living Allowance
- Have left care in England and Wales through special guardianship, child arrangements order or through an adoption order.
Am I eligible?
To find out if you’re eligible, apply for two year old funded place.
If your application is successful, please look out for confirmation by email from Victoria Forms and take this email to your chosen childcare provider. Most decisions are immediate however, if more information is needed, a member of the Early Learning and Childcare Team will contact you.
If you’re a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits
If your immigration status says you have 'no recourse to public funds', you may still be entitled to funded childcare for your 2-year-old. You must live in England and your household income 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.
Applications are to be made by completing the application form and providing the following supporting documents:
- Biometric Residence Permit (front and back) or Share Code
- Payslips for the last 3 months (if applicable) for you and your partner and/or
- Latest P60
- Letter from your employer confirming your salary and any other support they provide
- Letter from Local Authority confirming support (if applicable)
- Bank statements held by you, your partner, or joint accounts (if applicable), for at least 3 months. This includes current and savings accounts.
Please return completed application form and supporting documents to leyep@wigan.gov.uk where a member of the team will review. You will receive notification whether you have or have not been successful.
Funding for working parents of children ages 9 months - 3 years
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria above, you may be entitled to funding through the ‘working parents’ funding entitlement. Following a recent childcare funding expansion, working parents of children aged 9 months - 3 years could now receive 15 hours of funded childcare per week, for 38 weeks of the year. This will be further expanded in September 2025 to 30 hours.
How do I apply?
Check you meet the current eligibility criteria (external link) before applying.
Apply for a code
If you are eligible, you will need to apply for a code (external link). This usually takes around 20 minutes. You may find out you’re eligible straight away, but this can take up to 7 days.
If your application is approved, you'll get a code for funded childcare to give to your childcare provider. You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. If you apply more than 3 months before the term starts, you’ll need to reconfirm your eligibility in your account to keep your code valid, even if your child has not yet started their place.
What if I’m already registered for Tax-Free Childcare?
Parents must reconfirm that they are still eligible for Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) every 3 months. When eligible parents reconfirm, they will receive a code which will also enable them to access the funded hours offer.
Please note: You must have received your eligibility code and given this to your chosen childcare provider before the start of the term, even if your child doesn’t start until mid-term.
Additional Information
When can my child attend a childcare setting?
Both schemes enable children to access 15 hours of funding for 38 weeks of the year (term time only). Some childcare providers will allow the entitlement to be stretched across the year, meaning children attend less hours per week but can attend all year round. You will need to discuss these arrangements with your chosen childcare provider.
How do I find a place?
Our Town Directory has a list of all the childcare services in the Borough, with helpful information such as contact details, opening hours and fees.
Can I get further help with my childcare costs?
Parents eligible for the working parents funding are also able to access Tax-Free Childcare through the same application system. You can also visit Childcare Choices (external link) to find out what other schemes may be available for you.
When can I apply?
We recommend applying between 6 to 11 weeks before your child becomes eligible to start their funded hours.
When can my child start?
If you’re eligible, you can start claiming funded childcare hours from the term following your child reaching the age of eligibility. For families receiving some additional forms of government support, the age of eligibility is 2. For the working parents offer, the age of eligibility is 9 months old.
Eligibility
| A child turns 2 in the period | Will become eligible for a 2 year funded place |
|---|
| 1st April - 31st August |
1st September (Autumn term) |
| 1st September - 31st December |
1st January (Spring term) |
| 1st January - 31st March |
1st April (Summer term) |