Alliance comments on Early Years Pupil Premium roll-out

9th January 2015

Commenting on the initial roll-out of the Early Years Pupil Premium, which will provide additional funding of up to £300 per year for disadvantaged three- and four-year-olds, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said:

“Although we welcome additional financial support for early years providers, at just 53p per hour, the early years pupil premium is unlikely to have a tangible impact on the vast majority of childcare providers.

“While the funding is intended to help providers deliver additional support for those children most in need, given the extent of current funding shortfalls within the sector, it is likely that many providers may understandably opt to use this funding to try and plug existing funding gaps. However, the independent report into childcare sector funding commissioned by the Alliance last year found that the early years pupil premium will only make up 11% of the total current funding shortfall for three- and four-year-old provision within the PVI sector - so the problem of insufficient funding remains.

“The government must ensure that the sector is adequately funded if it is to ensure that all children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are given the best possible start in life.”

For further information, please .

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Notes for editors

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  2. Through direct provision and its membership of 14,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
  3. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website:

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