Some two year old children are entitled to 15 hours of free early education per week. 

Two Year Old Funding 

All 3 and 4 year old children are entitled to 15 hours of free early education per week, from the term following their third birthday.

Children of working parents/carers may be entitled to an additional 15 hours of free early education per week. 

 Universal and Extended (30 hours) Funding for 3 and 4 Year Olds

If your child is in Reception class or above please go to : Applying for Free School Meals | Worcestershire County Council

Search for the Nursery school Class you wish your child to attend, and if you meet the criteria below, they may be entitled to a Free School Meal.  If your child’s school nursery is not on this list, your child will not be able to access a Free School Meal. 

School Nursery Classes that offer Free School Meals

The Criteria:

• your child must be a registered pupil at the school and accessing 3 & 4 year old Nursery Education Funding.
• they must attend funded hours before and after lunch on the same day to receive a meal on that day.
• you and your partner (if applicable) must meet the economic criteria:
• Universal Credit provided they have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (616.67 per month)
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guarantee element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC
• Working Tax Credit run-on-paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax

Apply for Nursery Free School Meals

This is the same system you apply for school places and school age Free School Meals. Please use the account you've set up to apply for your older children, or create a new account if you need to apply for the first time. 

Apply for Nursery Free School Meals

• Privacy information

Parents/carers who signed up for the Employer Childcare Voucher Scheme prior to October 2018 can continue to utilise their Childcare

Vouchers. Money is deducted directly from your salary, before tax. To find out more information, talk to your employer.

Working parents with children aged 0-11 (0-16 if disabled) can receive up to £2000 per year to support the cost of childcare.

Tax Free Childcare

Parents who are under the age of 20 at the time of starting a publicly funded course (such as school or sixth form) may be eligible for support with childcare costs. 

Care to Learn

Workings parents who receive Universal Credit may be able to claim up to 85% of their childcare costs for children under 17 years of age. 

Universal credit

Parents who are accessing full-time higher education may be able to get support with childcare costs.

Childcare Grant