Here, at Tiny Stars Nursery, we offer free early education places for 2 year olds. This is known in Kent as the Free for 2 or ‘FF2′ scheme.
The local authority has a duty to provide eligible 2 year olds up to 570 hours of free early education a year over 38 weeks of the year.
A child is eligible if:
- they come within the criteria used to determine eligibility for Free School Meals
- their families receive Working Tax Credits and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190 per year
- they have a current statement of Special Educational Needs or an Education, Health and care plan
- they are entitled to Disability Living Allowance
- they are looked after by a local authority
- they are no longer looked after by the local authority as a result of an adoption order, a special guardianship order or a child arrangements order which specifies with whom the child lives.
Eligible children can start claiming after they turn 2, depending on when their birthday is.
| Child’s 2nd birthday | When they can claim from |
|---|---|
| 1 January to 31 March | the beginning of term on or after 1 April |
| 1 April to 31 August | the beginning of term on or after 1 September |
| 1 September to 31 December | the beginning of term on or after 1 January |
Kent County Council’s website has more information on how to apply for free early education for 2 year olds.
Click here to check if you are eligible for Free-For-2 Funding
FF2 Scheme Guidance
Information for Parents and Carers, Early Years Providers, Eligible Childminders and Children’s Centres can be found by following the links below:
- Parents and Carers (PDF, 331.7 KB)
- Early Years Providers (PDF, 102.0 KB)
- Eligible Childminders (PDF, 102.6 KB)
- Children’s Centres (PDF, 377.6 KB
WE ALSO OFFER 30 HOURS OF FREE FREE CHILDCARE TO ELIGIBLE 3 AND 4 YEAR OLDS. PLEASE CONTACT US DIRECTLY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
