Free nursery entitlement

All 3 and 4 year olds in Hartlepool are entitled to 570 hours per year of free nursery education, starting the term after their third birthday.

Some 2 year olds may also be eligible for free nursery entitlement. Eligibility starts the term after their second birthday.

Eligibility for 2 year olds

To check if your child is eligible, we’ll need:

• your National Insurance Number
• your date of birth
• your surname

You may be eligible for a 2 year old entitlement place if you receive one or more of the following:

• 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 payment
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (or both), and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
• the Working Tax Credit 4 week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit). Two 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

When can children access a free place?

Where can children access a free place?

• Approved private nurseries
• Approved registered childminders
• Participating school nurseries
• Approved sessional care providers

All providers are Ofsted-inspected and approved by us using our quality rating system.

Apply for a nursery place

Apply online for a 2 year old nursery place

Strategy

Read Hartlepool's strategy for the Early Years

Need help?

For help with your application or for any further questions please contact our Early Years team online:

Online enquiry form