Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)
The Early Years Pupil Premium is extra government funding — £570 per year per eligible child — given to nurseries to improve the experiences and opportunities they provide. It is designed to help close the gap between children from lower-income families and their peers.
It is available for eligible children aged 9 months to 4 years old who are accessing their funded hours.
For more information about the EYPP visit the Early Years Pupil Premium | EEF website.
Could your child be eligible?
If you receive any of the benefits listed on this page, your child may qualify. To check eligibility, all we need from you is your:
- National Insurance Number
- Date of Birth
- Surname
Please speak to a member of staff and we will check your child's eligibility quickly and easily.
How do we use the funding?
At Lilycroft, we believe that real experiences are at the heart of children's learning. The EYPP funding allows us to provide these in a number of ways:
Trips and outings — We take children out of nursery as often as we can, to local parks, shops, libraries and theatres, as well as further afield to farms, woods and beaches. Wherever possible, we invite parents and carers to join us too, so that families can share in the experience and continue the learning at home.
Visitors and special events — We regularly invite special guests into nursery, including storytellers, dancers, musicians, artists, the emergency services and birds and animals. These visits bring learning to life in a way children never forget.
Individual learning plans — Every eligible child has their own plan, tailored to where they are in their development and what they need next. We think carefully about the skills and vocabulary each experience will support, and we record learning through photos, videos and drawings to revisit with children and families.
Staff training — We invest in ongoing training to make sure every interaction between adults and children is of the highest quality.
Specialist project work — Adam, one of our most experienced staff members, works with small groups and individual children on projects designed around their specific interests and needs, focusing on learning, wellbeing and social development.
The difference it makes
How much funding have we received?
| Summer 2024 | Autumn 2024 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2025 | Autumn 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4s eligible | 27/100 (27%) | 18/47 (38%) | 29/68 (43%) | 34/86 (40%) | 31/73 (43%) |
| 2-3s eligible | — | 7/43 (16%) | 25/45 (56%) | 18/42 (43%) | 14/33 (42%) |
| Funding received | £4,799 | £5,712 | £6,610 | £9,360 | £8,550 |
What impact has it had? (3-4 Year Olds)
| Area of Learning | On Entry 24/25 At or Above | On Exit July 25 At or Above | Good or Better Progress | Below Good Progress | On Entry 25/26 At or Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal, Social and Emotional Development | 0% (0/21) | 24% (4/17) | 75% (12/16) | 25% (4/16) | 2-3s: 0% / 3-4s: 0% |
| Communication and Language | 0% (0/21) | 29% (5/17) | 81% (13/16) | 19% (3/16) | 2-3s: 3% / 3-4s: 1% |
The progress children make during their time with us is clear to see. In 2025/26 we are continuing to focus on communication and language, with a specific emphasis on learning about the world through outdoor experiences.
The Early Years Pupil Premium makes all of this possible, and for eligible children it has a real and lasting impact on their learning, both now and in the future.
If you'd like to know more or think your child might be eligible, please don't hesitate to speak to a member of staff — we'd love to help.