Howard Street, Rochdale, OL12 0PP
01706 646103

Eligibility and Criteria

2 Year Olds

Government funding allows us to provide free places of up to 15 hours a week for those children who are eligible. Please see below whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

What we can offer:

  • 15 hours funding per week, 38 weeks of the year (term-time only).
  • 3 hours per day either a morning session (8.45am - 11.45am) or an afternoon session (12.30pm - 3.30pm).

When does your eligibility begin:

The date from when your entitlement to funding begins, depends on the date your child's birthday falls on. 

Birthday between

1st April & 31st August - Beginning of the Autumn Term (September onwards)

1st September & 31st December - Beginning of the Spring Term (January onwards)

1st January - 31st March - Beginning of the Summer Term (April onwards).

3 & 4 Year Olds

We can also offer places to those children between the age of 3 & 4 who are entitled to extended funding (30 hours per week). You can apply for 30 hours funding from when your child is 2 years and 36 weeks old. 

To find out if you're eligible, visit the Rochdale Council website https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/earlyyearseducation or alternatively the Childcare Choices website https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

What we can offer:

  • 30 hours funding, 5 days per week, 38 weeks of the year (term-time only).
  • 6 hour session per day between the hours of 8.45am - 2.45pm
  • We can offer a full day provision (8.45am - 3.30pm) for an additional fee.

Recommended time to apply before the deadline:

Your child turns 3 between

1st April and 31st August - apply by 31st July to ensure your child can receive 30 hours from September.

1st September and 31st December - apply by 30th November to ensure your child can receive 30 hours from January

1st January and 31st March - apply by 28th February to ensure your child can receive 30 hours from April.

Unfortunately, if you do not apply by the deadlines specified above, your 30 hour code may not be eligible until the following term.

2 Year Old Eligibility

Your 2 year-old can get childcare if you live in England and get one of the following benefits:

  • Income support.
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
  • Child tax credits and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax.
  • The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
  • The working tax credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).
  • Universal Credit and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments.
  • Home Office Asylum Support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

If you’re a non-EEA citizen who cannot claim benefits you may be eligible under any of the following criteria:

If your immigration status says you have ‘no recourse to public funds’, you may still get free childcare for your 2-year-old. You must live in England and your household income after tax 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.

If you’re a working family:

  • You and any partner each expect to earn (on average) at least £167 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage). 
  • If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.
  • APPLY HERE

Children are also entitled to a place if:

  • They are looked after by a Local Authority.
  • They have an Education, Health Care Plan (EHCP).
  • They receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
  • They have left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order.

3 and 4 Year Old Eligibility

All 3 year and 4 year old children are entitled to 15 hours free childcare, for 38 weeks per year.

If you think you may be eligible for Government extended hours (30 hours), you are responsible for checking your eligibility and providing the 30 hour code to nursery.

You may be eligible for 30 hours if you meet the following criteria:

  • You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £142 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage). 
  • If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.
  • APPLY HERE