Guidance

Inclusive early years fund: 2026 to 2027

Additional funding for local authorities delivering the government’s free early years entitlements programme.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 25 March 2026

Applies to England

Documents

Inclusive early years fund for 2026 to 2027: conditions of grant and operational guidance for local authorities

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Inclusive early years fund for 2026 to 2027: methodology

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Local authority inclusive early years funding (IEYF) calculator tool

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 31.3 KB

Local authority funding for early years under the inclusive early years fund (IEYF) 2026 to 2027

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 40.5 KB

Details

This guidance is for local authorities delivering the government’s free early years entitlements programme.

The additional funding will be paid to local authorities in 2026 to 2027 financial year to support the early years sector to become more inclusive of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Local authorities will pay this to early years providers in accordance with the conditions of grant.

Allocations

Allocations will be published ahead of payments in July 2026. Further information on allocations is provided in the conditions of grant.

Published 25 March 2026