Two year olds who live in households which meet the eligibility criteria are entitled to free childcare places of up to 15 hours a week over 38 weeks. This is a total of 570 hours in each 12 month period from the school term after their second birthday.
This funding will be expanded in the future. See information about free childcare hours now and in the future.
Eligibility
To find out if you are eligible, read the free education and childcare for 2 year olds page on GOV.UK.
When to apply for 2 year old funding
The ideal time to apply is the school term before your child’s second birthday.
How to apply
You can apply online using the Citizen Portal.
Before you can use this site you must register your email address, if you have not already done so. User guidance is available below.
You will need your National Insurance number and date of birth to check your eligibility with the government’s Eligibility Checking Service.
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If you are eligible
You will receive a reference number confirming your eligibility for 2 year old funding.
You can share this reference number with your chosen childcare provider. Your childcare provider will use this reference number to place your child at their setting and claim funding.
Not all childcare providers in Bracknell Forest are registered to deliver 2 year old funding. Visit the Bracknell Forest Local Directory to search for childcare providers registered to deliver 2 year old funding.
If you are not eligible
More information on help with childcare costs is available on the government’s website Childcare Choices.
If you need assistance, contact our outreach worker by:
- email: early.education@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
- phone: 01344 352648
When your child turns 3
All children are entitled to free early education funding from the term after their third birthday. This is known as the universal entitlement.
A child in receipt of 2 year old funding will automatically transfer to the universal entitlement the term after their third birthday.