Introduction
Children who are claiming free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds in Cambridgeshire and meet certain criteria, may be eligible for the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP). This is extra funding paid to early years providers to improve outcomes for these children.
Eligibility
Your child will be eligible if they are 3 or 4 years old and receiving free (Government funded) early years education with any Ofsted registered early years provider, and you are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits (these are the same criteria as free school meals):
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (unless you’re also entitled to Working Tax Credit, and earn no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop receiving Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400 (as from 1 April 2018)
or if they:
- have been in local authority care for 1 day or more in England or Wales
- have been adopted from care in England or Wales
- have left care under a special guardianship order or child arrangements order in England or Wales
Apply for Early Years Pupil Premium
Frequently asked questions
How much is the funding?
The amount is 68p per hour. It is directly linked to the number of free hours you are taking up at your early years/nursery provider. So if you claim 10 hours per week, the premium will be 10 x 68p (£6.80) per week. The EYPP is paid directly to your childcare provider as part of their normal funding claim.
How will the provider use the EYPP?
Providers will use the money in ways they think will support your child’s learning and development. This should be informed by their understanding of your child’s needs and preferences.
Will I be involved in how the money is being spent?
Your child’s key person, as part of their ongoing communication, will continue to talk to you about your child’s time in the setting. The EYPP will be used to support your child’s learning and development. Your provider may combine the EYPP payments for several children, or work with other providers, in order to fund specific activity or training. Please note that the payment is made to the early years provider, and your child will have no automatic legal right to the equipment or resources, should they leave the setting.
What happens if my financial situation changes?
Once your three-year-old child is eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium, they will remain eligible until the end of their universal three and four year old entitlement of early education, regardless of any change in your circumstances.
Contact the Education Welfare Benefits team
You can contact the Council’s Education Welfare Benefits Team for information about applications for free school meals, or benefits which support children financially while at school or college.
Education Welfare Benefits Team
OCT1222
New Shire Hall
Emery Crescent
Enterprise Campus
Alconbury Weald
Huntingdon
PE28 4YE
Email: ewb.fsm@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01223 703 200
