Early Years Funding
Section outline
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Pupil Premium Plus Funding – From Year R
Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) is additional funding provided to schools to help support the education of children who are Previously Looked After (PLAC). This funding is designed to help close the attainment gap and ensure that previously looked after children have the best possible opportunities to succeed in school. The decision on use of PP+ spending sits with the school and it must be focused on education; however, the views of parents/carers should be considered.
Once a school is ‘satisfied’ with the child’s status and they qualify as PLAC, they can amend their school census record. Ultimately, a headteacher takes responsibility for a school census, registers and Department for Education returns. PLAC status must be recorded on schools’ Autumn (October) Census in order to receive pupil premium plus (PP+) funding for the following financial year. Each child recorded as PLAC on the Autumn Census currently generates £2690 (2026-2027).Further information on Pupil Premium Plus is available via the resources links at the top of this page.
Early Years Pupil Premium Funding – Preschools/Nurseries/Childminders
The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) aims to support early years settings in narrowing the achievement gap between children from certain potentially vulnerable groups, including previously looked after children, and their peers. Its purpose is to enhance the progress of these children in education through focused and strategic interventions and support, encouraging practitioners to give particular attention to their development.
Previously looked after children (PLAC), including those who left care through adoption, a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) or a Child Arrangements Order (CAO), are entitled to Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) if they are accessing government-funded early education. In England, PLAC children are eligible for EYPP at ages 3 and 4, and adopted children aged 2 may also qualify for a funded early education place.Further information on Early Years Pupil Premium is available via the resources links at the top of this page.
Early Years Funded Hours - Preschools/Nurseries/Childminders
Early Years funded hours are government-funded hours for children to attend early years education (preschools, nurseries or childminders) before they begin formal schooling. Depending on the age and circumstances of the child, different amounts of hours are available via government funding.
Previously looked after children (PLAC) are entitled to the same universal and extended early education entitlements as other children, but they may also benefit from additional eligibility routes and funding support:- All 3 and 4 year olds, including PLAC children, are entitled to 15 hours per week of universal funded early education for 38 weeks of the year.
- Eligible 3 and 4 year olds may receive an additional 15 hours per week (30 hours in total) if they meet the working parent eligibility criteria.
- Children aged 2 who have been adopted from care are entitled to a funded early education place, regardless of family income, through the disadvantaged 2-year-old entitlement.
Term time hours are calculated on the child attending for 38 weeks per year.
Further information on Early Years Funded Hours is available via the resources links at the top of this page.