Free Childcare and Education
Bright Sparks accepts the free childcare and education funding for both 2 and 3 year olds.
All 3-4 year olds can get 570 hours of free early education or childcare per year. Taken as 15 hours each week for 38 weeks of the year. You can start claiming free childcare after your child turns 3. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is:
| Child's birthday | When you can claim |
| 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 |
2-year -olds
Some 2-year-olds can get free early education and childcare. You must be getting one of the following:
* Income Support
* Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
* Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
* Support through part 6 of the immigration and Asylum
* Child Tax Credit and / or Working Tax Credit and have an annual income under £16,190
* the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
* the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
* Universal Credit
Children are also entitled to a place if:
* They're looked after by a local council
* They have a current statement of SEN education health and care plan
* They get Disability Living Allowance
* They're left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order.
If your child is eligible, you can start claiming after they turn 2. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is:
| Child's birthday | When you can claim |
| 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 |