Some 2-year-olds in Sefton can get 15 hours of funded early learning if they meet one or more of the eligibility criteria.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, your child would be eligible for funding from the term after their 2nd birthday. Late applications can only be funded from the date that you applied.
Please apply ahead of your child turning 2-years of age Citizen Portal - Sign in
If you have any questions you can contact us on 0151 933 6021 or email.
Please note that funding cannot be backdated.
The aim of this support is to make sure that children from all backgrounds learn at the same rate as their peers and are school ready when they reach 5 years of age.
Your 2-year-old can receive early learning at a setting of your choice, including nurseries, preschools, in some schools and with some childminders.
A funded place is equal to 570 hours, which is broken down to 15 hours per week across 38 weeks. You don't have to use all 15 hours but you must use the funded place at least 2 days per week, for between 2.5 - 10 hours on each day.
Please apply here or if you would prefer to speak to someone, you can call 0151 933 6021 Mon- Thurs 9am-5pm or Fri 9-4, or email 2yearolds@sefton.gov.uk
You can claim a funded place for your child if you receive one or more of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seekers’ Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credits - if you and your partner have a combined income from work of £15,400 or less p/a (after tax)
- Tax Credits and you have an income of £16,190 or less (before tax)
- Working Tax Credit 4 week run on (the payment you receive when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Guaranteed element of State Pension Credits
Children are also eligible if they:
- Are a Local Authority looked after child
- Have a current statement of special educational needs (SEN) or an education, health and care plan
- Access a Disability Living Allowance
- They have left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order
- Are children of Zambrano Carers
- Are children of families with no recourse to public funds with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
- Children of a subset of failed asylum seekers (supported under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 - 'the 1999 Act')
If your child’s 2nd birthday falls between 1 January – 31 March, they will become entitled to a funded place from the start of the Summer Term (after Easter).
If your child’s 2nd birthday falls between 1 April – 31 August, they will become entitled to a funded place from the start of the Autumn Term (early September).
If your child’s 2nd birthday falls between 1 September – 31 December, they will become entitled to a funded place from the start of the start of Spring Term (early January).
Once eligible, you will receive a message through the Citizen Portal to which you applied, containing a voucher code. Please show this to your chosen childcare provider who will arrange the funding for you.
They will assist you with the process from then on. If you are having difficulty in finding a childcare place, please contact us on 0151 933 6021.