Support with Costs

15 hours free early education and childcare for every 3 and 4 year old
Early learning for two year olds
Some children may be entitled to 15 hours of free childcare in the term after their second birthday. Early learning for two year olds is only open to children that meet certain criteria such as:

• Income Support
• Income- based jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
• Tax credits, and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
• The guaranteed element of pension credit
• The working Tax Credit 4-weeks run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

2 year olds can also get free childcare if they:

• Are looked after by a local authority
• Have a statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• Get disability living allowance
• Have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangement order

Nursery education for three & four year olds
Every child in Tower Hamlets can have 15 hours of free nursery education in the term immediately after they reach three years of age. The childcare applies directly to the local authority for funding. All 3-4 year olds can get 570 free hours per year. It’s usually taken as 15 hour weeks for 38 weeks of the year.

To see if you qualify for extra 15 hours go to Childcare Choices .

Private nursery places

For parents/carers who would like information regarding our private places please call 0207 247 8173.
Parents on low income or claiming universal credit, could get support with childcare costs of up to £646.35 if eligible.