Early Years Expansion Grant Communication 2025-2026
News Bulletin - 9th April 2025 - Schools Finance Unit - Chief Executives - Early Years Expansion Grant 2025-26
Team Schools Finance Unit
Department Chief Executives
Subject Early Years Expansion Grant 2025-26
Early Years Expansion Grant 2025-26
The DfE recently announced the Early Years Expansion Grant for 2025-26 to support the sector as it prepares to deliver the final phase of expansion of the working parent entitlement from September 2025.
The purpose of this grant is to support all settings who are providing government funded hours to the working parent expanded age categories.
This will be distributed using the Spring Term 2025 headcount data for Working 2 Year Olds and Working Under 2s expanded hours claimed.
Bolton's allocation is £437,443, 100% of this will be passed to providers.
The funding rate has been calculated at £1.04 per funded hour.
This grant funding can be used for:
- Staffing Costs
- Repurposing Rooms
- Any other additional costs to support settings through the final phase of expansion.
There is a possibility DfE regional teams will follow up how this grant funding has been used to support your setting, so please keep documentation in case this is requested.
The grant funding is due to be received in July 2025, we will pass this onto providers following the grant being received.
Further information on the Early Years Expansion Grant can be found:
If you have any questions please contact:
Early Years Finance – 01204 334161 – earlyyearsfinance@bolton.gov.uk