Provider funding rates are the hourly funding rates paid to providers delivering early years funded entitlements in Cumberland for the 2026 to 2027 funding year.
Rates apply to eligible children accessing funded entitlement hours and are subject to eligibility checks where required.
| Entitlement type | Who the funding applies to | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2s – working families | Children from the start of the term following their 9 month birthday until the term after their 2nd birthday, with a valid HMRC working families eligibility code | £10.25 per hour |
| 2 year olds - working families | Children from the start of the term following their 2nd birthday until the term after their 3rd birthday, with a valid HMRC working families eligibility code | £7.50 per hour |
| 2 year olds - early learning for 2 year olds | Children from the start of the term following their 2nd birthday until the term after their 3rd birthday, with a valid Cumberland Council two‑year‑funding code | £7.50 per hour |
| 3 and 4 year olds - universal entitlement | Children from the start of the term following their 3rd birthday until their reception place or they reach compulsory school age | £5.68 per hour |
| 3 and 4 year olds - working families | Children from the start of the term following their 3rd birthday until their reception place or they reach compulsory school age, with a valid HMRC working families eligibility code | £5.68 per hour |
Additional funding
Some children may attract additional funding alongside their funded entitlement hours.
| Funding type | Eligibility | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Deprivation supplement | Children receiving any early years funded entitlement who live in the most deprived areas, identified using the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) 2025 | £0.24 per hour |
| Early Years Pupil Premium | Children receiving any early years funded entitlement who meet the government eligibility criteria. Funding applies to the first 15 hours and is subject to a positive eligibility check using parent and carer details submitted through the Early Years Portal termly headcount | £1.15 per hour |
| Disability Access Funding (DAF) | Children in receipt of Disability Living Allowance who access any early years funded entitlement. Payment is made annually to the nominated provider, subject to a successful application | Annual payment of £975 |
Important information for providers
Important information about how funding is paid and evidenced:
- additional funding is paid in line with eligibility confirmed through termly headcount submissions
- disability access funding is paid once per year per eligible child
- providers must retain appropriate records to support funding claims
If you are a parent or carer
Parents and carers looking for information about funded childcare or support with childcare costs should visit the Families Information Service.
Get help with childcare costs on the Cumberland Family Hubs website.