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2-year-old-funding for families receiving additional forms of support

15 hours of funded childcare or early education for 38 weeks, available to eligible 2-year-olds.

Not all 2-year-olds are eligible for this funding and parents must apply through the

 Gloucestershire County Council Citizen Portal

For professionals making an application on behalf of the family under the Gloucestershire Discretionary Offer, please use the form below.

FRAS Referral Form Sept 2025

 

 

You can begin claiming the funding from the term after your child’s 2nd birthday and the “Eligible from” date stated on you successful application email (whichever is later).

Children born between:

Are eligible from:

1 January to 31 March

Summer Term starting on or after 1 April

1 April to 31 August

Autumn Term starting on or after 1 September

1 September to 31 December

Spring Term starting on or after 1 January

The funding will remain in place up to the term after your child turns 3.  The term after their 3rd birthday, they move onto the funded childcare for 3- and 4-year-olds.  You do not need to reconfirm your eligibility and if your circumstances change, the funding will not be withdrawn.

You can begin claiming the funding from the term after your child’s 2nd birthday and the “Eligible from” date stated on you successful application email (whichever is later).

Children born between:

Are eligible from:

1 January to 31 March

Summer Term starting on or after 1 April

1 April to 31 August

Autumn Term starting on or after 1 September

1 September to 31 December

Spring Term starting on or after 1 January

The funding will remain in place up to the term after your child turns 3.  The term after their 3rd birthday, they move onto the funded childcare for 3- and 4-year-olds.  You do not need to reconfirm your eligibility and if your circumstances change, the funding will not be withdrawn.

Your 2-year-old can get free childcare if you live in England and get one of the following benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments*
  • Child tax credits, and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
  • The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

2-year-olds can also get free childcare if they:

As part of Gloucestershire’s offer to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for all children, 2-year-old children with additional needs may also be able to access this funding.  The following conditions apply, and all requests are considered on an individual basis on receipt of a referral form completed by a professional working with the child/family.

  •        The child lives in Gloucestershire and attends a Gloucestershire registered childcare provider to claim their funded hours, and
  •         The child is supported through the Graduated Pathway and has a current My Plan/My Plan+ with clearly identified needs relating to SEN/disability, and/or
  •         The child lives with a parent who is acutely ill, disabled or has severe mental health issues.

Your 2-year-old can get free childcare if you live in England and get one of the following benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments*
  • Child tax credits, and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
  • The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

2-year-olds can also get free childcare if they:

As part of Gloucestershire’s offer to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for all children, 2-year-old children with additional needs may also be able to access this funding.  The following conditions apply, and all requests are considered on an individual basis on receipt of a referral form completed by a professional working with the child/family.

  •        The child lives in Gloucestershire and attends a Gloucestershire registered childcare provider to claim their funded hours, and
  •         The child is supported through the Graduated Pathway and has a current My Plan/My Plan+ with clearly identified needs relating to SEN/disability, and/or
  •         The child lives with a parent who is acutely ill, disabled or has severe mental health issues.

If your immigration status says you have “no recourse to public funds”, you may still get funded childcare.  You must live in England and your household income must be no more than:

·        £26,500 for families outside of London with one child

·        £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children

You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments and these income levels includes any wider support you or your partner (if you have one) may be receiving from friends and family, in addition to any earnings from employment.

If you believe you may be eligible please complete and return the attached application form with requested evidence: FRAS Application form NRPF (Sept 25)

If your immigration status says you have “no recourse to public funds”, you may still get funded childcare.  You must live in England and your household income must be no more than:

·        £26,500 for families outside of London with one child

·        £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children

You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments and these income levels includes any wider support you or your partner (if you have one) may be receiving from friends and family, in addition to any earnings from employment.

If you believe you may be eligible please complete and return the attached application form with requested evidence: FRAS Application form NRPF (Sept 25)

The earliest, and recommended period for parents to apply for this funding is the term your child turns 2.  Applications made outside of this window, that become successful, could delay when you can begin claiming the Disadvantaged 2 year olds funding.  Children become eligible for this funding from the term after their 2nd birthday and the 'Valid from' date stated on your successful application email or letter (whichever is later).

The earliest, and recommended period for parents to apply for this funding is the term your child turns 2.  Applications made outside of this window, that become successful, could delay when you can begin claiming the Disadvantaged 2 year olds funding.  Children become eligible for this funding from the term after their 2nd birthday and the 'Valid from' date stated on your successful application email or letter (whichever is later).

Participating childcare providers in Gloucestershire must sign our Local Provider Agreement to confirm they are offering the funded childcare places, and they must be DfE approved childcare.  Types of providers include:

  • Full day care (e.g. nurseries)
  • Childminders
  • Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
  • Children’s Centres
  • Schools (Early Years provision only)
  • After School Clubs (Early Years provision only)

2-year-old funding can only be claimed at Early Year’s childcare providers in England.  It cannot be claimed at childcare providers of Early Year’s provision in Wales.

Participating childcare providers in Gloucestershire must sign our Local Provider Agreement to confirm they are offering the funded childcare places, and they must be DfE approved childcare.  Types of providers include:

  • Full day care (e.g. nurseries)
  • Childminders
  • Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
  • Children’s Centres
  • Schools (Early Years provision only)
  • After School Clubs (Early Years provision only)

2-year-old funding can only be claimed at Early Year’s childcare providers in England.  It cannot be claimed at childcare providers of Early Year’s provision in Wales.

Your funded entitlement is based on 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year.  However, there are some providers who will allow you to ‘stretch’ your hours over the year, using fewer hours per week, up to your maximum entitlement of 570 hours.  Please discuss with your childcare provider whether you can use your hours flexibly, outside of the 38-term time only weeks.

Your funded entitlement is based on 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year.  However, there are some providers who will allow you to ‘stretch’ your hours over the year, using fewer hours per week, up to your maximum entitlement of 570 hours.  Please discuss with your childcare provider whether you can use your hours flexibly, outside of the 38-term time only weeks.

Other fees may apply at your chosen provider(s).  The funded childcare is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider.  However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a Disadvantaged 2 year olds place, and must be offered alternative options.

Other fees may apply at your chosen provider(s).  The funded childcare is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider.  However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a Disadvantaged 2 year olds place, and must be offered alternative options.

Not all 2-year-olds are eligible for this funding and parents must apply through the Gloucestershire County Council Citizen Portal:

Apply now

Not all 2-year-olds are eligible for this funding and parents must apply through the Gloucestershire County Council Citizen Portal:

Apply now