The early years pupil premium (EYPP)

The early years pupil premium (EYPP) is additional funding for early years settings to improve the education they provide for disadvantaged 9-month-olds to 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds in ‘E1’, ‘E2’, ‘N1’ and ‘N2’ only.

Disadvantaged pupils taking the 15 hours expanded entitlement for working parents will become eligible to receive early years pupil premium from the term following the child turning 9 months old.

Disadvantaged pupils taking the 15 hours funded entitlement for disadvantaged 2-year-olds will become eligible to receive early years pupil premium from the term following their 2nd birthday.

Disadvantaged pupils taking the universal 15 hours funded entitlement will become eligible to receive early years pupil premium from the term following their 3rd birthday.

They will retain this entitlement until they move from nursery (‘N1’ and ‘N2’) class into reception (‘R’), when they become eligible to receive the ‘mainstream’ pupil premium.

Children are eligible to receive EYPP if they are taking any of the following:

• universal funded entitlement for 3- and 4-year-olds

• disadvantaged entitlement for 2-year-olds

• expanded entitlement for 9-month-olds to 2-year-olds

They must also either:

• meet benefits-related criteria equivalent to those for free school meals (receipt of free school meals does not automatically qualify a child for EYPP)

• be in the care of the local authority (in England or Wales)

• have left care (in England or Wales) through:

  • adoption

  • special guardianship

  • a child arrangements order (formerly known as a residence order)