Two-Year-Old Provision – Information

We offer nursery places for two-year-olds across two daily sessions:

• Morning session: 8:45am – 11:45am
• Afternoon session: 12:30pm – 3:30pm

Children attend for 15 hours per week, term time only. Our two-year-olds share the nursery space with our three- and four-year-olds and are supported by a dedicated member of staff to guide their learning journey.

Who Can Apply?

Anyone can apply for a two-year-old place. Since April 2024, Elfrida Primary School has offered 15-hour funded places to eligible two-year-olds. Children can start the term after their second birthday, with three intake points each year:

• September
• January
• April

Free Early Education for Two-Year-Olds

You may be eligible if you meet one of the following criteria:

Working Parents

You may qualify if:

• You and your partner (if applicable) are working

• You meet the income thresholds set by the government

Families Receiving Benefits

You may qualify if you receive:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Universal Credit (combined income under £15,400 after tax)

• Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, or both (income under £16,190 before tax)

• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

• Working Tax Credit four-week run-on

Extended Criteria

Your child may also qualify if they:

• Are looked after by a local authority

• Have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

• Receive Disability Living Allowance

• Have left care under a special guardianship, child arrangements, or adoption order

More information is available on the Lewisham Council website here.

Non-UK Citizens

If your immigration status states you have ‘no recourse to public funds’, you may still be eligible if:

• You live in England

• Your household income after tax is below:

  • £34,500 (within London, one child)

  • £38,600 (within London, two or more children)

• You have less than £16,000 in savings or investments

Looking Ahead: 30-Hour Places for Two-Year-Olds

We are currently reviewing the government’s extended criteria for 30-hour places for two-year-olds, due to be introduced from September 2025. If we plan to offer this provision from Summer 2025, we will update our website and admissions policy accordingly