A Guide to Early Years Pupil Premium and Disability Access Funding

As a parent, you naturally want your child to have the best possible start in life, especially when it comes to their education. What many families don’t realise is that financial support is available to help early years providers offer extra help to children who may need it.

Two key forms of support available in England are the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) and the Disability Access Fund (DAF). These grants can make a real difference to your child’s experience in nursery or preschool, without costing you a penny.

The Early Years Pupil Premium is funding given directly to early years settings, such as nurseries, pre-schools, or childminders, to help improve the learning and development of disadvantaged 3 and 4 year olds.

• Up to £570 per year per child is available.
• This money is not paid to parents, it is paid to the childcare provider to support your child’s progress.
  

It can be used for a wide range of support, including:

• One-to-one learning support
• Extra staff training
• Educational resources or tailored activities
• Support with communication, behaviour, or confidence building

Your child may be eligible if they are 3 or 4 years old and receiving 15 hours of free early education per week (this is the standard government-funded childcare offer).

You must also receive one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and income below £16,190
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after Working Tax Credit ends)
• Universal Credit with a household income of less than £7,400 per year (after tax and not including benefits)
  

Or, your child may be eligible if they:

• Are currently looked after by a local authority
• Have previously been in care but are now adopted, under a special guardianship order, or a child arrangements order
  

Applying is simple:

1. Speak to your childcare provider, they’ll guide you through the process.
2. You may be asked for some basic details (like your National Insurance number) so eligibility can be confirmed.
3. Once approved, the funding is automatically paid to the provider, you don’t need to manage it yourself.

If your child has a disability, your childcare provider may be entitled to additional support through the Disability Access Fund.

• £910 or more per year is available to providers.
• The aim is to improve access, make adaptations, or provide tailored support.
• This funding is for children receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

To qualify, your child must also receive 15 hours of free childcare through one of the following:

• Universal 15 hours for 3- and 4-year-olds
• 15 hours for disadvantaged 2-year-olds
• 15 hours for children aged 9 months to 2 years of working parents
  

You do not need to use the full 15 hours to be eligible for DAF.

1. Make sure your child is receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
2. Let your childcare provider know, they can apply for DAF on your behalf.
3. You may need to provide evidence of your child’s DLA award.
   

Many children benefit from a little extra help in their early years, whether it’s support with language skills, learning routines, or social confidence. These funds allow early years settings to give your child that additional boost, tailored to their needs.

Whether your child needs academic support, social guidance, or adaptations for a disability, EYPP and DAF are designed to ensure they don’t miss out on important opportunities during these formative years.

• Ask your childcare provider if you think your child might be eligible, they’re used to supporting families with the application process.
• Even if you’re unsure about your eligibility, it’s worth checking. You may be entitled to more than you realise.
• Stay involved, ask your provider how they plan to use the funding to support your child’s development.

By making sure your childcare provider accesses all the funding available, you’re helping give your child the best possible start in life, something every child deserves.

If you’d like help checking your eligibility or applying, contact your local council or speak to your nursery or childminder today.

If your child qualifies for Early Years Pupil Premium or Disability Living Allowance, your household may also be eligible for free insulation or heating improvements through government schemes like ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme.

These programmes are designed to help families on lower incomes keep their homes warmer and reduce energy bills, giving your child a healthier home environment to grow up in. Check your eligibility here, it’s quick, free, and could make a real difference.