Your 2-year-old can get funded early education and childcare if you receive one of the following:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Universal Credit - if you and your partner have a combined income from work of £15,400 or less a year, after-tax, not including benefit payments

• Tax credits - and have an annual gross income (before tax) of no more than £16,190 per year

• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

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

Read more about eligibility on GOV.UK.

Other Circumstances

Your child can also get free early education and childcare if any of the following apply:

• they’re looked after by a local council, they’ve left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order

• they have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

• they get Disability Living Allowance
  
  

If you’re a non-EEA citizen who cannot claim benefits

Your 2-year-old may get free childcare if you are getting support under the Immigration and Asylum Act and have either:

• claimed asylum in the UK and are waiting for a decision (known as ‘part 6’)

• been refused asylum in the UK (known as ‘section 4’)

Free childcare is also available if your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, and you have any of the following:

• support from your local council because you have ‘a child in need’, for example they have a disability or a child protection plan

• no recourse to public funds with a right to remain in the UK on grounds of private/family life

• the right to live in the UK because you’re the primary carer of a British citizen (known as a 'Zambrano Carer')

The date you can start a funded place depends on your child’s birthday.

If you believe you are eligible, please complete the 2 year old funding application form online to find out if your child is eligible for the 2 year old funding and to check your application. 

You may apply on behalf of a parent/carer if you have permission to do so and have their relevant details.

If you have applied previously and require your funding reference code, please call 01296 387000.

If you're eligible, you will be sent a confirmation email letter which you can take to any of the approved childcare providers

Allocation of your 2 year old funded place will only be considered and accepted by the provider once they have seen the 2 year old confirmation email or letter. Please note funding can only be backdated in exceptional circumstances, and with agreement of the childcare provider.

The Early Years Brokerage Service provides help to families who are unable to find a 2-year-old funded place. They will discuss your needs with you and provide advice and information on the availability of places in your area.

Apply for help from our Brokerage Service

If you need any help finding suitable childcare then contact us and we’ll do our best to help you.

If your child has specific needs further support is available from our specialist Brokerage officers

If you have already applied but have lost your 6 digit reference code please email 2yearoldfunding@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

When a parent informs you they are eligible for 2-year-old funding please ask to see the confirmation email or contact the 2-year-old funding team on 01296 387000 to verify. You will need to record the 6 digit reference code on your termly funding claim form.

Apply for funded childcare for 2-year-olds

Find out more about 3 to 4 year old funding

Tax-Free Childcare

If you are not eligible for 2 year old funding, you may be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare.

30 Hours Childcare

Information for parents on 30 Hours Childcare.