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Eligible 2 year old

Apply to an early years centre for a 2 year old and find out if your child qualifies for a funded place.

South Ayrshire is committed to providing a high quality early learning and childcare experience for all our children, where they gain vital language and learning skills and improve their social development in a high quality early learning and childcare setting.

When, where and how do I make an application for a funded 2 year old placement?

Your child must be 2 years old before you can apply for a placement and you, the parent/carer, must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria detailed below.

Applications can be made online at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools. If you are not able to complete the application online please contact Educational Services and a member of the team will be able to assist you with this.

You will be required to upload evidence of your benefit and your child's birth certificate to support your application. Applications cannot be processed without this information.

Qualifying benefit for funded 2 year old placement
Income SupportUniversal Credit
(where net earned income is £726 or less per month)
Income-based Job Seekers AllowanceState Pension Credit
Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement
Allowance
Any income related element of Employment and
Support Allowance
Child Tax Credit
(where household income is £18,725 or less)
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum
Act 1999
Child Tax Credit & Working Tax Credit
(where household income is £8,717 or less)
 

In addition if the 2 year old in your care is looked after by the Local Authority or the subject of a Kinship Care or Guardianship Order (or has been at any point since turning 2) they are also eligible.

Children of care experienced parents are also eligible for a 2 year old place.

If you do not meet the criteria for a funded 2 year old placement and you feel that your child would benefit from having access to a 2 year old placement due to health reasons, please discuss this with your Health Visitor.

Local Authority Early Years Centres

Annbank EYCForehill EYC
Ballantrae EYCGirvan EYC
Barr EYCGrammar EYC
Braehead EYCKincaidston EYC
Cherrytree EYCKirkmichael EYC
Colmonell EYCMaidens EYC
Coylton EYCMuirhead EYC
Crosshill EYCNewton EYC
Culzean EYC (From August 2023)Prestwick North EYC
Dailly EYCSpace Place EYC
Dundonald EYCStruthers EYC
 Tarbolton EYC
 Wallacetown EYC

Some Funded Providers can also offer 2 year old provision. You will be able to select a Funded Provider online if this is your preferred choice.

Application criteria

Applications will only be accepted if

  • you provide evidence of your benefit if applying through benefit criteria
  • you provide a copy of your child's birth certificate
  • it is made after your child's 2nd birthday
When is my child eligible for a two year old early years placement?
If your child's birthday is betweenThen your child can start
1 March - 31 AugustAugust following their birthday
1 September - 31 DecemberJanuary following their birthday
1 January - last day of FebruaryMarch/April following their birthday

Apply

Apply for 2 year olds

Am I guaranteed the centre of my choice?

Whilst every effort will be made to provide access to childcare within each local area it may not always be possible. Parents/ carers may choose not to accept the offer of early learning and childcare. Please contact Educational Services to advise if you no longer require the placement.

Transport will not be provided for children accessing early learning and childcare places.

Please contact Educational Services at edservicesELC@south-ayrshire.gov.uk or on 01292 612162 to advise if you no longer require the placement.

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