"There have been no changes to the free childcare that is available in England for two year old children, which many NRPF families are unable to access because eligibility is generally linked to the parent being in receipt of certain welfare benefits that cannot be claimed by people with NRPF."
http://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/News/Pages/childcare.aspx
I'm guessing that if your friend was awarded free childcare for his 2 year old child, that he was also fraudulently claiming child tax credits.
