You must be getting one of the following:

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• Income Support

• Income-based Job seeker's Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act

• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income not over £16,190

• The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

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Children looked after by a local council are also entitled to a place.

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If your child’s eligible, you can start claiming free early education after your child turns 2. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.

Child’s Birthday:                                                      When you can claim:
 

1 January to 31 March              
1 April to 31 August                   
1 September to 31 December 

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