The online provider portal is available for early years and childcare providers to submit data and funding claims.
The following tasks are for all providers, and are always open on the portal:
- Provider update (all providers, required termly).
- Sufficiency update (all providers, required termly).
- Staff changes (all providers, when required).
Free entitlement providers
The following tasks are for free entitlement providers only. Refer to the relevant task to find out submission dates, and payment dates, if applicable. You can only submit data and claims when the portal is open. We remind you of these dates via our Setting Update broadcast emails – if you don’t receive these, or you miss a submission, email us.
Estimate (termly, optional)
- Spring 2024 - Now closed. Portal was open 15 November to 24 November 2023. Payment expected week commencing 4 December 2023.
- Summer 2024 - Portal open 6 March to 22 March 2024. Payment expected week commencing 1 April 2024.
See Free entitlement estimate and actuals for more estimates information and help guides.
Actuals (termly)
This includes Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) and Disability Access Fund (DAF).
- Spring 2024 - Portal open 1 January to 26 January 2024. Headcount day 18 January 2024. Payment expected week commencing 19 February 2024.
- Summer 2024 - Portal open 15 April to 10 May 2024. Headcount day 2 May 2024. Payment expected week commencing 3 June 2024.
See Free entitlement estimate and actuals for more actuals information and help guides.
Early Years Census (annual)
- 2024 - Portal open 1 January to 26 January 2024.
See Annual early years census for more information and help guides.
Provider declaration (annual)
- 2023 - Closed (2024 dates TBC). Mandatory for existing free entitlement providers to continue in the scheme.
See Annual free entitlement provider declaration more information and help guides.
Extended free entitlement (30-hr) ad hoc eligibility check
An instant check of eligibility for extended free entitlement is always available via the portal.
See Extended free entitlement (30-hour) ad hoc eligibility check for more information and help guides.