Free school meals and early years pupil premium
Early years pupil premium (EYPP)
The early years pupil premium is additional funding for early years settings to improve the education they provide for eligible children. An early years provider or setting is any organisation offering education for children aged under 5 years old, including nurseries and childminders.
The early years setting must be registered with Birmingham City Council to deliver early education entitlements (EEE).
Children aged 9 months to 4 years old must be accessing an early education entitlement (EEE) place in order to attract EYPP funding.
They do not have to take up their full early years entitlement to get EYPP.
Free school meals
Eligible children aged 2 to 4 years old are entitled to a free school meal if they are attending a childcare provider that delivers their funded session for a minimum of 5 hours between 9am and 3pm.
The eligibility criteria for both early years pupil premium and free school meals can be found on the government website.
Parents should apply below.
Each application generates a code. You need to take the code to your childcare provider so that they can claim the funding.
If the application says it can’t confirm your eligibility, then you should take evidence of your eligibility to your childcare provider and they will let us know that you are eligible. An example of evidence could be a benefits letter or statement.
If you would like support with completing the application, you can ask your childcare provider to do it for you.
If you have any queries about your Free School Meal or Early Years Pupil Premium application and your child is aged 9months – 4 years old you can email earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk
Check eligibility and apply for additional funding with a private nursery or childminder
Check eligibility and apply for additional funding with a school nursery
If you are a private nursery or childminder check a child’s eligibility
If you are a school nursery and need to check a child’s eligibility
Page last updated: 28 January 2025
