Appendix 2: Early years pupil premium for children in care
Overview of funding
Early years pupil premium funding was introduced in April 2015, to build on the successful model of the school age pupil premium. It will ensure more money is spent on children that will benefit most from additional investment.
The aim of the early years pupil premium is to close the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers by providing funding to early years providers to help them raise the quality of their provision. It will complement the Government-funded early education entitlement by providing nurseries, schools, and other providers with up to an additional £655.50 a year for each eligible child. This equates to an hourly rate of £1.15 per child per hour, based on 15 hours free entitlement. As the early years pupil premium is calculated for an hourly rate, funding will only be allocated based on the number of hours a child attends (up to a maximum of 15 hours).
From April 2026, early years pupil premium for children in the care of Lincolnshire will be paid in three instalments:
- spring term - £189.75
- summer term - £224.25
- autumn term - £241.50
Eligibility
A child will be eligible for the EYPP if they receive one of the following:
- the universal 15 hours entitlement for 3 and 4-year-olds
- the 15 hours entitlement for families of 2-year-olds receiving additional support
- the 15 hours entitlement for children aged 2 years of eligible working parents or
- the 15 hours entitlement for children aged 9 months to 2 years of eligible working parents
They must also meet any of the following criteria (the same criteria apply to all of the entitlements):
- their family gets one of the following:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s 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
- Universal Credit (household income must be less than £7,400 a year after tax, not including any benefits - this is assessed on up to 3 of the parent’s most recent universal credit assessment periods) - further guidance on checking eligibility is set out below
- they are currently being looked after by a local authority in England or Wales
- they have left care in England or Wales through:
- an adoption order
- a special guardianship order
- a child arrangements order
If a child qualifies for EYPP under more than one set of criteria, they will only attract the funding once.
The early years entitlement team check eligibility on a termly basis based on information supplied on the parent declaration forms. Funding will be allocated to providers but will follow the child. Where a child attends more than one setting for their universal offer, the funding will be split according to the hours attended at each provider.
Early years and childcare support works collaboratively with the virtual school to identify and fund all looked after children through the early years pupil premium.
Impact and outcomes
Restrictions will not be imposed on how providers spend the early years pupil premium. Instead, Ofsted will hold providers to account for how they have used the EYPP to support their disadvantaged children through the regular inspection process. Under the current Ofsted inspection framework, the effectiveness of pupil premium plus for children in care is evaluated explicitly within the inclusion judgement and is also considered across leadership and management and quality of education. Inspectors use case sampling to assess how well funding reduces barriers, improves inclusion, and supports positive outcomes for children in care.
Early years pupil premium funding for children in care will be linked to the PEP (Personal Education Plan). Providers will be required to complete this document in conjunction with the virtual school to show impact of this additional funding. Providers will receive EYPP funding for children in care from the virtual school. This process is separate to all other EYPP funding. The EYPP funding for children in care must be spent to help meet the needs identified in the children’s Personal Education Plans (PEPs).
If you require further support with PEPs or have any queries about pupil premium plus, please email VirtualSchool@lincolnshire.gov.uk