Become an early years funded entitlement provider

How early years and childcare providers can apply to deliver funded entitlements in Cumberland, including eligibility checks and when funding can start.

If you want to deliver early years funded entitlements in Cumberland, you must apply and be approved before you can claim funding.

We review applications to confirm providers meet the requirements for delivering funded entitlement places.

Before you apply

Funding:

  • cannot be claimed retrospectively
  • can only start once your application is approved and your funding account is set up
  • is subject to published termly headcount dates

Your start date for accessing funding will depend on when your application is completed and the relevant headcount deadlines.

How the application process works

To apply to become a funded early years provider, you must contact the Early Years Funding team to check your eligibility and request an application form.

Email: [email protected]

Once you return a completed application:

  • we carry out eligibility checks
  • if you are approved, we send you the Early Years Entitlements Provider Funding Agreement
  • after the agreement is in place, we set up your funding account

We will contact you by email at each stage of the process.

Related support

If you are considering setting up a new childcare service or expanding your existing provision, you can also get advice from the Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency team.

This support is separate from applying to deliver funded entitlements.