Free early years education

For two year olds

Your children could qualify for free child care for 15 hours a week, 38 weeks a year from the age of two if you get any of these benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance                                             
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Guaranteed Pension Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Tax credits and an annual income less than £16,190
• Working Tax Credit run-on
• Universal Credit

Find out more about childcare for two-year olds (external link) from Lancashire County Council.

For three and four year olds

If you are working your children can qualify for up to 30 hours a week free early years childcare and education between the ages of three and four. You can claim from the next term date following their birthday, so they can start in April, September or January.

Find out more about childcare for three and four-year olds (external link) from Lancashire County Council.

It’s flexible to suit you

Your child could attend for three hours a day over five days, or five hours a day for three days in a week, or they could take the offer over two days.

Claim your free place

You just need to book the free place with any of the following*;

• A pre-school/playgroup
• A private/voluntary day nursery
• An independent school
• A network of childminders
• A nursery class in a state primary school
• A state nursery school

*The service should be inspected by registered nursery inspectors and registered as an eligible provider.

Further information contact Lancashire County Council Family Information Service. Tel: 0300 123 6712 or email: lancsfis@lancashire.gov.uk.