From September 2026, The Orchard Nursery will be open to children from the age of 2 years with up to 15 or 30 funded hours available per week from the term after their second birthday. Additional paid sessions may be added in addition to funded ones, according to availability. 

Early Learning for 2-year-olds
15 hours of early learning each week for families in England who get extra support, like those on Universal Credit or children with an Education, Health, and Care Plan.

Your 2-year-old can get 15 hours of funded early learning if you live in England and get any of the following benefits:

• 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
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Your benefits will not be affected if you take up the Early Learning for 2-year-olds offer

2-year-olds can also get funded childcare if they:

• are looked after by a local authority
• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• get Disability Living Allowance
• have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order 

No income thresholds apply.

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)
If your child is in receipt of Early Learning for 2-year-olds, you may also be eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP). EYPP is paid to childcare providers and gives them additional funding to support learning and development for children. You can see if you’re eligible for EYPP on GOV.UK and speak with your provider or local council to apply.

Working Parent Entitlement
If you and your partner (if you have one) are working, you may also be eligible for an additional 15 hours under the working parent entitlement.  If you’re a working parent and you’re not eligible for Early Learning for 2-year-olds, you may still be eligible for 30 hours under the working parent entitlement.  

The Orchard Nursery is open to children from the age of 3 years with up to 15 or 30 funded hours available per week from the term after their third birthday. Additional paid sessions may be added in addition to funded ones, according to availability. 

All children are eligible for 15 hours a week of free nursery education, irrespective of income levels, benefit status, or family circumstances, starting from the term after they turn 3 years of age.

Early Years Pupil Premium
If your child is aged 3 or 4, and you are receiving this 15 hours childcare, and receiving some additional forms of support, you may also be eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP). EYPP is paid to childcare providers and gives them additional funding to support learning and development for children. You can see if you’re eligible for EYPP on GOV.UK and speak with your provider or local council to apply.     

30 hours childcare
For children aged 9 months to 4 years. Eligible working families can apply for 30 hours of childcare for 38 weeks a year, to use from the term after their child turns 9 months until they reach school age, saving an average of £8,000 a year for every child.

• Childcare you can get help paying for

• Best Start in LIfe Parent Hub

• Free childcare for working parents