Early education and childcare
Local funding formula
Early Years Funding Rates
The rates for April 2026 onwards have been agreed.
In line with our consultation feedback and the views of the Early Years Consultative Group and Schools Forum, we will:
- Not hold any contingency to maximise funding to providers
- Reduce the percentage of centrally retained funding to 3% in line with DfE requirements
- Continue to allocate 3% for an SEN Inclusion Fund
- Maintain the same rates for 2-year-olds regardless of the type of entitlement (i.e. working families or early learning for 2-year-olds)
Budget
The Local Authority is required by legislation to issue all providers with an indicative budget at the beginning of the financial year.
The budget should broadly reflect the anticipated total number of hours that will be claimed. It is also a requirement to adjust budgets to reflect actuals within the financial year.
In Norfolk, we have provided a calculator for providers to determine their indicative budget for Early Education funding.
