Some families who have no recourse to public funds may still be able to get funded childcare for their 2-year-old. Eligibility depends on your immigration status and your household income.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for 2-year-old funding if you fall into one of the following categories. These are national criteria set by the government.
Families claiming asylum in the UK and waiting for a decision
This is known as Part 6 support. We will need to see your National Asylum Service (NASS) reference number or Port Reference Number.
Families with no recourse to public funds
Where the annual household income is: £26,500 for families outside of London with one child or £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children.
This includes but is not limited to the following groups.
- Families with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private and family life
- Zambrano Carers (families with a right to remain in the UK as they are the carer of a British Citizen)
- Families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989
- A subset of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Chen carers
- Families holding a BN(O) passport
- Spousal visa holders
- Work visa holders
- Student visa holders
- Those with no immigration status
- Those with a UK Ancestry Visa
- Those with temporary protection status under Section 12 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
- Those with pre-settled status who do not meet the qualifying right to remain test
How to apply
Once you have found a place for your child, submit a 2-year-old funding application form on the portal.
You must also:
- Complete a self-declaration form.
- Provide a Share Code so your immigration status can be confirmed using The Home Office's Online Immigration Checking Services.
- If a Share Code is not available, a Biometric Residency Permit can be used. This can be uploaded as an attachment to the Self Declaration Form. Please include both sides.
- Provide evidence to show the annual household income does not exceed the above thresholds. For example, a bank statement, payslip or employment contract.
How the application is assessed
Once you apply:
- We review the information you provide
- We check your income and immigration status
- We may contact you if we need more evidence
- We will confirm if your child is eligible for funded childcare
If your child is eligible, you can arrange a funded place with an approved childcare provider from the term after their second birthday.