Eligibility criteria for 2-year-old funded places

Two-year-old children will be eligible for a funded nursery place if they meet criteria one to five.

Criteria one: Working parents SHOW


Criteria two: Benefits SHOW


Criteria three: Looked after children SHOW


Criteria four: SEND SHOW


Criteria five: Other circumstances SHOW


Funded two-year-old early years education online application

Check if you are eligible and apply online (for criteria two to five).

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Before you fill in this form

You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself up to five minutes to fill in the form.

Check your child's eligibility

If you are unable to find out if you qualify online, please go to a Family Hub or you can contact the Southampton Family Information Service.

If your immigration status says you have 'no recourse to public funds' (NRPF)

If your immigration status says you have ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF), you may still get free childcare for your two-year-old. You must live in England and your household income must be no more than:

  • £26,500 for families outside of London with one child
  • £34,500 for families within London with one child
  • £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
  • £38,600 for families within London with two or more children

You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.

If you are seeking a free early education place for a two year old and you have NRPF, please complete our online form.

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Before you fill in this form

You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself at least five minutes to fill in the form.

You will need:

  • UKVI share code to prove your immigration status

Apply for funded early education place for two year olds (no recourse to public funds)

Once you have completed this online form, you will need to then visit the Citizen Portal to upload the supporting evidence:

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Access Citizen Portal

You will need to tick the 'non-economic' option, enter 'NRPF' in the comment box, and upload the evidence you said you would provide when completing the online form.

  • Evidence to confirm your (and partner’s if relevant) details and relationship to the child
  • Evidence to confirm your (and partner’s if relevant) monthly income, if employed
  • Evidence to confirm child’s date of birth
  • Evidence to confirm details of the other child in the household, if relevant

Upload the supporting evidence

Once we have received this evidence, we will review your application and inform you of the decision within five working days.