2 Year Old Places

Funded Early Learning and Childcare for Eligible 2 Year Olds

If you are a parent of a two-year-old child and are in receipt of certain benefits you could qualify for Funded Early Learning and Childcare.

Do I meet the criteria?

Children will be allocated places according to the criteria listed below. (N.B. eligibility criteria are subject to change in line with any amendments to the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014): 

Eligibility Criteria for 2 Year Olds

Your child can access 1140 hours of funded ELC at the eligible intake date after their 2^nd birthday, if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Income Support 
• Job Seekers Allowance (income based) 
• Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance 
• Incapacity or Severe Disablement Allowance 
• State Pension Credit 
• Child Tax Credit (CTC), but not Working Tax Credit (Earning threshold applies)
• Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit (Earning threshold applies)
• Support under Part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 
• Universal Credit Statement (Take home pay threshold applies)

For more information on the eligibility criteria, earnings and take home pay thresholds please see information on the right “Other Websites”

Or if the child is age 2 or over and is or, since they turned 2 has been (in terms of legal status): 

• ‘Looked After’ by a local council 
• The subject of a ‘Kinship Care Order’; or 
• The subject of a ‘Parent Appointed Guardianship Order’; or 
• Has a care experienced parent  - (Parent has been in residential care, foster care, kinship care, or has been looked-after at home with a supervision requirement at any stage in their life)

How do I apply?

You can apply for a 2 Year Old Entitled Early Learning & Childcare Place in line with the 2 year old application timeline below.

Application forms are available at any Inverclyde Council establishment, an approved funded provider private voluntary or independent (PVI) nursery that offer entitled ELC 2 year old places or an approved funded provider childminder’s that offers entitled ELC 2 year old places.  Please contact your local authority nursery, approved funded PVI nursery or approved funded provider childminder directly. You must complete the application form fully and all supporting evidence must be submitted at the time of your application.

What happens next?

Your application will be sent to Education Headquarters to be processed:

• If your application is declined the Inverclyde Council establishment, approved funded provider private voluntary or independent (PVI) nursery or the approved funded provider childminder’s you applied to will inform you of the decision.
• If you application for a 2 year place is approved an email will be sent to you informing you of your allocation and model of attendance.

*This allocation is for your child’s 2-3 years place only – this allocation will not automatically transfer when your child is eligible for a 3 - 5 year place.  You will be asked to complete a 3-5 year application form for your child’s funded 3 year old place.

Page last updated: 18 January 2023