Early Education Funding and the Provider Portal
The Early Years Provider Portal is a self-service facility that can be used by all Early Years Providers to submit their information to the Council, including Headcount and Census information.
- Early Education Funding will be based on headcount information submitted on the Portal
- Funded pupil numbers from the Early Years census return will be used in the calculation of your authority's Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) allocation.
The Early Years Provider Portal is good because:
- It is a more secure and reliable way of transferring information
- Gives providers more control of the information they are submitting
- Allows more time for providers to submit their information
- Offers a more cost-effective and efficient process
- Allows providers to amend their information right up to the deadline
How to access the Early Years Portal
If you are using the Portal for the first time, please refer to the document below.
- Early Years Provider Portal User Guide [PDF, 2MB]
On the Portal, providers can use the 30-hour eligibility checking tool to verify eligibility codes before offering a 30-hour place. Please refer to the document below if you are verifying an eligibility code for the first time.
Within the Early Years Provider Portal is the Self Update Module. This allows providers to update their information held by the local authority.
- Portal User Guide for 30 Hour ECS Checks [PDF, 318KB]
Providers can also use the Portal to notify the local authority of Me2 funded placements of 2-year-old children. Please refer to the two documents below:
Access the Early Years Provider Portal
Further information
Early Years Funding Guidance
We have incorporated the Early Years Funding Guidance with the Early Years Provider Agreement. This agreement should be followed by all providers, including childminders who are registered with OfSTED as Early Years Providers to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Parent Declaration Forms
In the first week of term, the parent and provider must sign a new Parent Declaration Form for every child. Two Parent Declaration Forms are available, a standard offer form and a stretched offer form, which are both found below.
- Standard Offer Form [PDF, 213KB]
- Stretched Offer Form [PDF, 216KB]
The form used for each child will depend on the type of childcare offer that is accessed. Parent Declarations must be retained by the provider and be available for audit verification.
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)
EYPP funding is available to providers to fund additional support to the education of disadvantaged children who are accessing the entitlements and are 4 years old and under.
EYPP should fund additional support, training, or resources to help improve the outcomes of our most vulnerable children.
To claim this additional funding, you will need to ask parents to sign an EYPP Application Form for parents, which gives permission for an eligibility check to be carried out.
- EYPP Application Form for Parents [PDF, 254KB]
A parent/carer will be included in the check for EYPP eligibility when their details are added against the correct child on the headcount form on the Portal.
Disability Access Fund (DAF)
DAF funding is available to providers to enable children with disabilities to access their free childcare entitlement. Children accessing any of the entitlements are eligible for DAF, provided they meet the relevant criteria. Eligible children are those in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Providers are responsible for identifying eligible children. Providers should verify DLA entitlement by obtaining a photocopy of the DLA letter. These letters should be retained by the provider as part of their records for audit purposes.
Providers can claim DAF by emailing schoolsfinance@plymouth.gov.uk with details of eligible children, including name, DOB, and address.
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