Early years funding: changes to funding for 3- and 4-year-olds

We’re consulting on proposals to change the way we fund free childcare and early years education. The proposals include:

• introducing a new early years national funding formula for 3- and 4-year-olds
• changing the way local authorities fund the early years providers in their area
• making sure that children with special educational needs or disabilities attract the extra funding they need

Early years providers offer free early education and childcare for children aged under 5, including nurseries and childminders.