2-Year-Old Funding in Greenwich: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

Parents ask us about 2 year old funding Greenwich more than almost any other topic. And it is no wonder, because there are actually two separate routes to funded childcare for two-year-olds, each with different eligibility rules, and the government's communications do not always make that obvious. I want to walk through both clearly, so you know where you stand before you pick up the phone.

The Two Routes to Funded Childcare at Age Two

The first thing to understand is that these are genuinely different entitlements, not two tiers of the same thing.

Route one: the means-tested 15-hour entitlement

This has been around longer and is sometimes called the 'extra support' route. It gives eligible two-year-olds 15 hours of funded early learning per week for 38 weeks of the year. Your child may qualify if your family receives any of the following:

• Universal Credit, where your household income is £15,400 or less per year after tax (not including benefit payments)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, where household income before tax is £16,190 or less
• The Working Tax Credit four-week run-on

Children may also qualify through this route if they are looked after by a local authority, have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, receive Disability Living Allowance, or have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or child arrangements order.

There is also a separate route for families with no recourse to public funds. In London, if your household income after tax does not exceed £34,500 (one child) or £38,600 (two or more children), and savings or investments do not exceed £16,000, your two-year-old may still be eligible.

I want to be honest: the income thresholds listed above can change, so please do verify the current figures directly before applying. The Royal Borough's Families Information Service is the right people to ask.

Route two: the working-parent entitlement

From September 2025, eligible working parents of two-year-olds can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week. To qualify, both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent household) need to be working, each earning roughly the equivalent of 16 hours a week at National Minimum or Living Wage, and neither parent can individually earn over £100,000 a year. The simplest way to check your eligibility is through Childcare Choices, the government's own tool.

We also accept funding from 9 months old for eligible working families, so if you have a younger child and think you might qualify, it is worth asking us sooner rather than later.

When Does Funded Childcare Start in Greenwich?

In the Royal Borough of Greenwich, the start date for your child's funded place depends on their birthday:

• Born between 1 April and 31 August: funding starts 1 September
• Born between 1 September and 31 December: funding starts 1 January

Children can start their funded hours after their second birthday, on whichever of those dates comes next. Greenwich allocates up to 15 hours per week across at least three days, and you can split the hours between more than one provider if that suits your family.

How to Apply for 2-Year-Old Funding in Greenwich

For the means-tested route, your first call should be to Royal Greenwich's Families Information Service. They give free advice to families in the borough with children up to age 19 (or 25 for those with SEND), and they are the definitive local contact for confirming eligibility and guiding you through the process.

• Phone: 020 8921 6921 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
• Email: FIS@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

Once your place is confirmed, the council pays the funded hours directly, so there is nothing for you to arrange in terms of payment for those hours. Do be aware that providers may charge separately for meals, additional hours, or activities beyond what the funding covers.

If you are applying for the working-parent entitlement, you will need an eligibility code from HMRC, which you renew every three months. This applies whether you are claiming 15 or 30 hours. Missing a renewal can disrupt your funded place, so it is worth putting a reminder in your diary.

How It Works at Blossoming Minds

Here at Blossoming Minds Daycare on Woolwich Road, we accept both the 15-hour and 30-hour funding, and we handle the claim directly with the local authority once your eligibility is confirmed. Families from across the SE10 area and beyond, including Westcombe Park, Charlton, North Greenwich and Blackheath, have used funding with us. If you are unsure whether you qualify or what the process looks like in practice, our team is always happy to talk it through, and our fees and funding page gives a straightforward overview of how we structure funded places.

If you would like to see the nursery and meet the team before committing to anything, you are very welcome to book a show-around at a time that suits you. Or if you would prefer something more relaxed first, our free weekly Stay and Play sessions on Wednesday mornings are a lovely way to get a feel for the space with your child:

Book a private tour → Register for Stay and Play →