Early Education Funding in Coventry information for professionals

Route 1 criteria – parent

All parents applying for targeted funding must check to see if they meet the criteria under route 1 in the first instance. Where parents do not meet the criteria under route 1, they should continue to route 2 to make an application. This is because route 1 is the primary pathway to this funding.

A parent may be eligible if they are in receipt of;

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit and the household income is £15,400.00 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
• Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (or both) and the household income is £16,190.00 a year or less, before tax
• Guarantee element of Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment made when parents stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

Parents who do not meet any of the above criteria, should check route 2 criteria to see if they may be eligible via this route

Route 2 criteria

• The child is in the care of the local authority (for example a Foster Carer)
• The child has a current Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP)
• The child the parent is applying for, attracts Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• The child has left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangement order

They cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments. 

*These figures are different for parents living in London.

Parents making an application under Route 2 will be asked to provide written evidence from an appropriate body. They must also provide proof of household income.

Parents who are non-UK citizens who cannot claim benefits.

If the parents’ immigration status says they have ‘no recourse to public funds’, they may still be able to get Targeted childcare funding for their 2-year-old. Parents must live in England and the household income after tax must be no more than:

• £26,500 for families with one child
• £30,600 for families with two or more children

They cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments. 

*These figures are different for parents living in London.

Parents making an application under Route 2 will be asked to provide written evidence from an appropriate body. They must also provide proof of household income.

Coventry’s local criteria for Targeted 2 Year Olds (also Route 2)

In demonstrating our commitment to the children and families of Coventry, in addition to the national criteria set out in Routes 1 & 2, Coventry has developed a local criterion to ensure that every child who needs a place is supported to access one.  To this end, children meeting the criteria below will also be funded to access a place.

The child is supported through an Early Help Assessment Plan

The child is accessing additional services provided by Health or Local Authority professionals

And

Parents have a total annual household income of £20,000 a year or less, after tax.

Evidence for applications made via this route will include proof of annual household income, after tax and a letter from the relevant professional supporting the application.  Evidence will need to be submitted when applying.

The child is subject to a Child Protection or Child in Need plan.

A letter from the lead Social Worker will be required as evidence.

The child has a diagnosed syndrome, condition or disability that significantly affects the ability to access learning or has a delay of at least 12 months in 2 or more areas of development.  These are;

• Communication and Interaction
• Cognition and Learning
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties
• Sensory and/or physical needs

Additionally

The child will be accessing additional services provided by health or local authority professionals. A letter of evidence will be required.