Golden tickets for funded childcare
We post Golden Tickets to some eligible families to let them know they qualify for funded childcare for their two year old, based on information received from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Non-transferable Golden Tickets include a unique reference number, which you can take to your chosen childminder, nursery or preschool. This is evidence that you're eligible to receive up to 15 hours funded childcare per week during term time (or fewer hours per week stretched over the whole year).
The date you can claim your funded childcare place will depend on when your child’s second birthday is:
- 1 January to 31 March - claim at the beginning of term on or after 1 April
- 1 April to 31 August - claim at the beginning of term on or after 1 September
- 1 September to 31 December - claim at the beginning of term on or after 1 January
You may still be eligible for funded childcare for your 2 year old even if you didn't receive a golden ticket in the post.
Using your Golden Ticket
Golden Tickets can be used at many childminders, nurseries and pre-schools in Luton.
If you know which childcare provider you'd like to use, you can take your Golden Ticket to them directly. The childcare provider will need to take some additional details from you to check you're entitled to the funding on the computer system.
If the system says you're eligible, the provider can then discuss a start date with you for your child to start.
If the system says you're not eligible
You can contact the Family Information Service with the unique reference number on your Golden ticket and we'll help the provider.