Early Years Funding Consultation 2027-28
Overview
We are seeking the views of early years providers ONLY on the proposed funding arrangements for government-funded early education and childcare entitlements in West Northamptonshire. Your feedback will help inform the Council's approach to setting local funding rates and funding supplements for 2027-28.
The Government funds a range of early education and childcare entitlements for eligible children. These currently include:
- A universal entitlement of up to 15 hours per week of funded early education for all 3 and 4 year olds.
- An additional 15 hours per week for eligible working parents of 3 and 4 year olds, providing up to 30 hours per week in total.
- Up to 15 hours per week of funded childcare for eligible 2 year olds.
- From September 2025, up to 30 hours per week of funded childcare for eligible working parents of children aged from 9 months to school age.
In addition, eligible children may attract supplementary funding through:
- Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP).
- Disability Access Fund (DAF).
Accessing Funded Entitlements
To access funded childcare in a particular term, children must reach the relevant age by one of the national eligibility dates:
- 31 March for the summer term.
- 31 August for the autumn term.
- 31 December for the spring term.
Funded entitlements may be delivered on a term-time basis over 38 weeks per year or stretched across up to 51 weeks, depending on the provider's offer and parental preference.
Supporting documents
You can find more information about the proposals in the following documents.
How to provide your views
We welcome responses from all early years providers delivering funded childcare and early education within West Northamptonshire. Your views are important and will help ensure that funding arrangements reflect local priorities, support sustainability within the sector, and continue to meet the needs of children and families.
You can provide your views on the proposals by completing the online questionnaire using the link below or at the top right of this page called "Give us your views".
This consultation closes midday Monday 30 November 2026.
For details on how consultation and engagement responses are managed, please see the consultation and engagement privacy notice.
What happens next
The outcome of this consultation will be presented and agreed at Schools Forum Wednesday 11 December 2026, where responses will be considered as part of the decision making process.
Thank you for taking the time to participate in this consultation.
This consultation ends 30/11/2026