Early Years Education and Childcare
Check your eligibility and get more information at Childcare Choices
Childcare eligibility
From April 2024 Eligible working parents of 2-year-old's can access 15 hours childcare support. By September 2025, most working families with children aged between 9 months and 5 years old will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.
The changes are being introduced gradually to make sure that providers can meet the needs of more families. This means that:
From September 2024 15 hours childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children from the age of 9 months to 3-year-old's.
From September 2025 Eligible working parents of children from 9 months to school age will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week.
Like the existing offer, depending on your provider, these hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year (during school term time), or up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week.
For additional support contact us via email: childcare.information@knowsley.gov.uk or call 0151 443 5633 (Option 4)
To apply for working parent entitlement please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Two Year Old Offer
For families in England, receiving some additional forms of government support Children aged 2 years.
Your two year old may be eligible for 15 hours free early education each week, in a high quality childcare setting (nursery or childminder), for 38 weeks, if they meet certain eligibility criteria and their family is receiving additional support from the Government.
You may be entitled to free 15 hours free childcare...
If you are in receipt of certain benefits, have incomes of £16,190 as a household income a year or less. Or you are claiming and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax (not including benefit payments).
For a full list of criteria please visit the Government Two Year Old page
How to apply for your child’s free place
You can apply online now at - Knowsley Parent Portal
If you have any questions about your application or need support please contact our Early Years Placement Officer on 0151 443 5633 (Option 5), please note you need to create a separate application for each individual child you wish to claim for.
You can only apply here for 2 Year old funding if you want to access a Knowsley childcare provision.
When you have submitted your application, click on 'Your account' tab along the top and 'My applications' to check the status of you application.
Please note that places will only be made to settings within Knowsley, if you wish to apply outside the borough you must contact that local authority.
15 and 30 hours - frequently asked questions
15 and 30 hours - frequently asked questions | Childcare Choices
When is my child eligible?
If your child’s 2nd birthday falls between 1 January – 31 March, you may be entitled to free 15 hours childcare from the start of the Summer Term (April) - Apply term before 1 January
If your child’s 2nd birthday falls between 1 April – 31 August, you may be entitled to free 15 hours childcare from the start of the Autumn Term (September) - Apply term before 1 April
If your child’s 2nd birthday falls between 1 September – 31 December, you may be entitled to free 15 hours childcare from the start of the Spring Term (January) - - Apply term before 1 September
*Please note any applications received after the the closing dates can also start the week after half term (February, May, October) if eligible.