There are two different types of funded entitlements for two year olds.  FEET (Funded Entitlement for Eligible Two year olds) and Working Entitlement for two year olds.

FEET Funding

FEET funding is for 2 year olds of families in receipt of specific benefits, or those who meet one of the additional criteria listed below

• 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 payments)
• Child Tax Credits (gov.uk) and have an annual household income up to £16,190 before tax
• The Guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• The Working Tax Credit (4-week run on the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

Claiming FEET does not affect your benefits, but if you are using the childcare element of  Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit you can only claim for any childcare over and above the 15 hours. If you were using the childcare element before claiming FEET and you do not change your hours you may need to contact HMRC so they can adjust their payments to you. They can be contacted on 0345 300 3900.

Funded Early Education for two-year-olds (FEET) offers eligible families up to 15 hours of funded early education a week for 38 weeks a year. 

At Dorking Nursery School we accept and prioritise FEET funded places for children. These are offered over five morning or five afternoon sessions per week. You will need a valid FEET code to be able to access a place. To apply for a FEET code, visit the Surrey County Council Website.  If ou are not able to access the online application for FEET funding, then we can help with applications. Do pop in and see us!

Working Entitlement for two year olds

Most working parents of two year olds are able to access 15 hours per week of funded early education.  This will extend to 30 hours per week from September 2025. Parents (both parents in a two parent household) or one parent in a single parent household need to be earning between National Minimum Living Wage and £100,000 each to be eligible.  

To find out more, visit the Childcare Choices Website.  

At Dorking Nursery School, we offer the 15 hours working entitlement for two year old over five morning or five afternoon sessions. From September 2025, we will be offering the 30 hours for two year old over five days, Monday to Friday. You will need to provide a valid 11 digit code to provide eligibility.  This can be accessed from the Childcare Choices Website. 

From the term after a child turns three years old, all children are entitled to 15 hours of early education per week. This is called Universal entitlement. At Dorking Nursery School we offer this over five morning or five afternoon sessions.

Working Entitlement for three and four year olds

Most working parents of three and four year olds are able to access 30 hours per week of funded early education.  Parents (both parents in a two parent household) or one parent in a single parent household need to be earning between National Minimum Living Wage and £100,000 each to be eligible.  

To find out more, visit the Childcare Choices Website.  

At Dorking Nursery School, we offer the 30 hours working entitlement for over five days, Monday to Friday. You will need to provide a valid 11 digit code to provide eligibility.  This can be accessed from the Childcare Choices Website. 

There are lots of other ways that you can get support with funding.  For more information and to check eligibility, visit the Childcare Choices Website. 

Tax Free Childcare 

• For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK
• Earning under £100k and an average of £183 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage) each over three months
• Who aren't receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
• With children aged 0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled)
• For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year

Tax Credits for Childcare

• For working families, in the UK
• With children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled)
• 70% of childcare costs, up to a cap
• If you cannot make a new claim for Tax Credits, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit instead.

Universal Credit Childcare

• For working families, in the UK
• With children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled)
• 70% of childcare costs, up to a cap
• If you cannot make a new claim for Tax Credits, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit instead.

Support while you study

• Weekly payments from Care to Learn if you’re at school or sixth-form college
• Help through your college if you’re in further education
• A weekly grant if you’re in full-time higher education