Providing two year old funded places for families receiving additional support

Eligibility criteria and guidance on how and when parents or professionals can apply.

Eligible families can access a funded early education place for their 2 year old child. This is funded by the government and available to families who meet specific criteria.

Who can apply? 

Families who are receiving additional support or are working and on a low income may be eligible for 15 hours of funded early education per week for their 2 year old. For full details on eligibility and how to apply, please refer to the Funded childcare for 2 year olds guide.

If you are a professional supporting a family, you can submit a Funded Early Education for a 2-Year-Old Referral Form on their behalf if the child meets any of the referral criteria.

If you are supporting families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) please see the information along with the application form contained in the No Recourse to Public Funds guide.

If the 2 year old child you are supporting or caring for is in foster care, they may be eligible for 30 hours of funded early education per week if the foster carer is in paid employment outside of their fostering role.  For full details on eligibility and how to apply, please refer to the Funded Childcare for Foster Carers guide.

When to apply? 

Eligible families can start to access a place from the term following their child's 2nd birthday.

The table below shows when applications can be submitted and when the child can start accessing their funded hours:

Childs Birthday

When child can access a place

When you can apply from

1 April - 31 August

1 September (autumn term)

1 April

1 September - 31 December

1 January (spring term)

1 September

1 January - 31 March

1 April (summer term)

1 January

What happens after an application has been submitted? 

Eligible families will be issued with a Lancashire 'Golden Ticket' letter which will contain a 6 digit voucher code.

The childcare provider must verify eligibility by requesting a copy of the 'Golden Ticket' letter and proof of child's age prior to offering the child a funded place. 

Further guidance and support

For help with checking eligibility codes and submitting funding claims, please refer to the Provider Portal guidance notes.

If a family has not yet applied for their child’s 2 year old funded hours, please direct them to the appropriate application route as outlined above.  

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