Free entitlement - 2,3 and 4 year old provider payment timetable 2026-27

1. Free entitlement - Under 2s - 4 year old provider payment timetable 2026-27

Period 2026-27   Estimates Actuals Adjustments
  Term Length Portal opens Estimates deadline 
Portal closes		 Estimate payment
processed week commencing		 Portal opens Actuals deadline,
Portal closes		 Actual payment processed
week commencing		 Portal opens Adjustments deadline 
Portal closes		 Adjustments payment processed
week commencing
Summer term 2026 13 Weeks 23 March 2026 27 March 2026 6 April 2026 23 March 2026 29 May 2026 15 June 2026 15 June 2026 3 July 2026 20 July 2026
Autumn term 2026 14 Weeks 13 July 2026 17 July 2026 10 August 2026 13 July 2026 9 October 2026 19 October 2026 19 October 2026 13 November 2026 23 November 2026
Spring term 2027 11 Weeks 30 November 2026 4 December 2026 14 December 2026 30 November 2026 29 January 2027 22 February 2027 22 February 2027 12 March 2027 22 March 2027

The portal is open for input of data in line with the above dates.

Estimate Payment

  • 2 Year Olds – 75% of hours submitted
  • 3 and 4 Year Olds – 75% of hours submitted
  • 9 month - 2 Year Olds  - 75% of hours submitted

Actuals Payment

  • 2 Year-Olds – Remaining 25% of hours submitted, new children, and any changes to child hours
  • 3 and 4 Year-Olds – Remaining 25% of hours submitted, new children, and any changes to child hours
  • 9 month – 2 Year-Olds – 25% of hours submitted, new children and any changes to child hours

Adjustments Payment

Any children who have joined the provision after the submission of actuals will be funded at this part of the term

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