Early Education Funding (EEF) for 2, 3 and 4 year olds

A brief overview of information for providers. For more details information, read the guidance notes.

Please note that all funding claims will need to be completed electronically through our Establishment Portal. 

2-year-old funding

2-year-old entitlement

• Some 2-year-olds are eligible for 570 hours from the term after they turn two (refer to chart above for start dates).
• Criteria: economic and non-economic. For more information on eligibility and how parents can apply go to the parents' early education funding page.
• Parents will need to apply for the funding online where they will receive a TYF style code. Once a parent has a valid TYF code they won’t lose their 2-year-old entitlement. This code is taken to the preferred provider for validation before they are offered a place. 
• Some parents will receive a postcard through the post (this number is 7 characters long) stating they may be eligible for 2-year-old funding. The postcard has an expiry date and needs to be converted into a TYF code before it expires. The parent can take the postcard to the provider for them to do an assisted application on the Establishment Portal and create a permanent TYF code.
• The hourly funding rate from April 2023 is £6.21

3 and 4-year-old funding

Universal entitlement

• All 3 and 4-year-olds in Oxfordshire are eligible for the universal 570 hours free early education the term after they turn three (refer to chart above).  
• There are no eligibility criteria or codes required 
• The hourly funding rate from April 2023 is £4.58

Extended entitlement (30 hours)

• Some 3 and 4-year-old children of working parents may be eligible for the extended 570 hours (these are additional to the universal hours). Information and eligibility criteria can be found at Childcare Choices
• Eligible children can take up a place from the term after they turn three (refer to chart above). 
• Parents need to have received their code from HMRC before the entitlement date i.e. by August, December and March.  Parents are advised to apply in plenty of time e.g. by July, November and February.
• Codes must be validated on the Establishment Portal to confirm correct starting term. 

Early years Pupil Premium (EYPP) and deprivation supplement  

• The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) gives extra funding to support eligible 3 and 4-year-olds up to 15 hours per week (the EYPP cannot be applied to the extended entitlement hours).
• From April 2023 providers are paid a rate of £1.09 per hour. This is broken up as 62p for EYPP and 47p as a deprivation supplement. 
• The deprivation is also applied to the extended 15 hours (if eligible) at the rate of 47p per hour. 
• For further information and how to apply, see Early Years Pupil Premium funding.

Disability Access Funding (DAF)

DAF is available to children:

• in receipt of Disability Living Allowance
• receiving free early education

To be eligible for DAF, the child must be named on the DLA award letter (children whose siblings attract DLA but don’t themselves would not be eligible). 

From April 2023 the DAF funding is a non-transferable lump sum payment of £828 per financial year and the parent must nominate which provider will receive the funding.

Please note that four-year-olds in primary school reception classes are not eligible for DAF funding.

SEN inclusion funding

SEN Inclusion Funding is available for children who:

• Meet descriptors in the Special Educational Needs Support in Oxfordshire’s schools and settings.
• Are evidenced by clear tracking of their developmental levels which show a need to provide some additional provision/ planning for the child.
• Have required external agencies, such as speech and language therapists to be involved to offer advice and support which can be implemented with some small adaptations and interventions.
•  Are considered by setting staff/class teacher, SENCo and parents to require this level of intervention and specific planning

Funding children with low level or emerging needs is paid at £38.50 per week and the child must be in receipt of Early Education Funding.

Payment information for all 

• At the beginning of each term, a 60% estimated payment is made based on estimated hours/indicative budget.
• Mid-term a balancing payment is made via claims submitted on the Establishment Portal. The payment includes any DAF, SEN or EYPP.
• At the end of term, an amendment payment is made (if applicable) based on changes since the final balance payment. Again, submitted via the Establishment Portal.
• For PVIs, childminders and academies, all payments will be paid directly into bank account.

Maintained schools with finance enquiries can contact their Education Financial Services (EFS) adviser