Know the structure of education from early years to post-compulsory education.

From 1 September, 2013, 20% of 2-year-olds are eligible for funded early learning places. This will improve the attainment and life chances of some of our most disadvantaged children and support working parents.

Local authorities are responsible for funding these places.

Eligibility

From September 2013

From September 2013, around 130,000 2-year-olds are eligible for 570 hours per year of funded early education.

All 2-year-olds who are looked after by their local authority are eligible.

2-year-olds whose family receives one of the following are also eligible:
• income support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
• the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income not over £16,190
• the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

We set out the eligibility criteria for the first phase of early learning for 2-year-olds in the local authority October 2012 regulations
From September 2014

From September 2014, 2-year-olds who meet any 1 of the following criteria will be eligible:
• if they meet the eligibility criteria also used for free school meals
• if their families receive Working Tax credits and have annual gross earnings of no more than £16,190 per year
• if they have a current statement of special educational needs (SEN) or an education, health and care plan
• if they attract Disability Living Allowance;
• if they are looked after by their local authority
• if they have left care through special guardianship or through an adoption or residence order

We will confirm the benefits and earnings criteria for families on Universal Credit at a later date.

We will publish estimated numbers of eligible children with the 2014 to 2015 local authority funding allocations in autumn 2013.

From September 2014

From September 2014, 2-year-olds who meet any 1 of the following criteria will be eligible:
• if they meet the eligibility criteria also used for free school meals
• if their families receive Working Tax credits and have annual gross earnings of no more than £16,190 per year
• if they have a current statement of special educational needs (SEN) or an education, health and care plan
• if they attract Disability Living Allowance;
• if they are looked after by their local authority
• if they have left care through special guardianship or through an adoption or residence order

We will confirm the benefits and earnings criteria for families on Universal Credit at a later date.

We will publish estimated numbers of eligible children with the 2014 to 2015