Two year olds
Learn more about 2 year old funding, how to apply & childcare options
If you have a child aged two-years-old and you meet the eligibility criteria you are entitled to a maximum of 15 hours per week of funded early education, for 38 weeks per year. This will start from the term after your child’s second birthday and will continue until they are entitled to the early years education for three and four-year-olds.
For full information about eligibility and how to apply for either the targeted or expanded two-year-old funding entitlement, click the button below to head over to the Reading Family Information Service.
When can your child start early education?
| If your child was born between: | They can start: | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January to 31 March | Summer term (April) | |
| 1 April to 31 August | Autumn term (September) | |
| 1 September to 31 December
|
Spring term (January) |
Health visiting teams
This important developmental review is carried out at two years of age. The review is arranged by invitation and may be offered at a local children’s centre, at home or early years setting.
You will also be a sent a questionnaire to complete. This allows you to try out some of the activities covered by the questionnaire with your child at home, where they are comfortable and in familiar surroundings.
Please bring the completed questionnaire and your child’s red book with you to the appointment.
Ready steady nursery!
We know how important it is for children to be school ready and therefore we run groups that enable parents and children to understand the transition to school/nursery process. We offer practical sessions that really help the children when they start school/nursery.
What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?
The Early Years Foundation Stage is the standards for learning development and care of children from birth to five years. Ofsted-registered childminders, pre-schools, nurseries and reception classes must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
You may find it helpful to read the following documents:
What are the prime areas of learning and why are they important?
Prime areas are the building blocks for all other learning. They are fundamental, work together, and move through to support development in all other areas. The three prime areas of learning are:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
What is the Two-Year-Old Integrated Review?
When a child turns two years old they are invited to attend a health developmental assessment. If a child also attends an Early Years setting they must also have a progress check completed between 24 months and 36 months – this is a statutory assessment requirement. These two reviews are known as the integrated review which will give a holistic understanding of the child’s overall development.
Both health and early years practitioners write these reviews in discussion with parents, sharing the decision making together. Parents are encouraged to share this information with each party involved.
The aim of these assessments is to identify the child’s strengths and needs as well as to facilitate relevant support if the child is not progressing as expected.
Duty Health Visitor Service: 0118 931 2111
Special needs support
Support is available to parents, carers, families and young people with SEND.
Click here for a range of information including local services and charities, national services and charities, support groups, and where to get help and advice.
Tiny Talkers
Tiny Talkers is a fun group opportunity to access communication support and advice on speech development. This group is developed in partnership with our speech and language colleagues.