31/07/2026
Hive Announcement-
Core Funding August Review and Confirm window 2026/2027 and pending ERO for the Staff Funding Additional Contribution 2.
📣Dear Service Provider,
August Review and Confirm
The August Review and Confirm window will open on 1 August to 31 August 2026.
Partner Services who have submitted their 2026/2027 Core Funding application on or before 31 August must complete the August Review and Confirm to allow Core Funding payments to commence. If a Partner Service does not complete the Review and Confirm process within the required timeframe, Core Funding payments will be placed on hold until such a time as the process is completed. Failure to complete the Review and Confirm may result in a Core Funding application being declined.
Partner Services can complete Review and Confirm with two options available:
1. Review and Confirm with Changes
2. Review and Confirm without Changes
It is important to note that Partner Services who submit their original 2026/2027 Core Funding application on or before 31 August, will have their Base Rate capped at their approved August Review and Confirm Base Rate value.
Therefore, Partner Services should ensure to review the grant values displayed on the Summary Funding section of the summary page and ensure all information on their application has been recorded correctly, prior to submission of their Review and Confirm. After a Partner Service clicks ‘Submit’, the application will be locked, and no further changes can be made at this time until your application is 'Approved'.
For Partner Services who submit their Core Funding application from 1 September onwards, they will not be required to complete the August Review and Confirm window, and their Base Rate will cap on the approval of their original Core Funding Application Module.
Prior to completing the August Review and Confirm, Partner Services should:
Ensure all data captured in the Service Profile is accurate and up to date for the 2026/2027 programme year.
Complete their Fee Table for Partner Services and Parent Statement for Partner Services 2026/2027.
Ensure your Core Funding application is at status ‘Approved’. If your application is at ‘Referred back’, you must address the reason it was referred back prior to completing the August Review and Confirm process.
If you have an Update Due Date populated on your most recently ‘Approved' 2026/2027 Core Funding application record prior to the date you submit your August Review and Confirm, you must action this as part of your Review and Confirm using the option of ‘Review and Confirm with Changes’ either replacing the departed staff member or reducing your capacity.
Pending ERO for the Staff Funding Additional Contribution 2
A new funding element, the Staff Funding Additional Contribution 2, is to be introduced to centre-based services for the 2026/2027 Core Funding programme year. The release of this funding, and the hourly rate at which it will be paid out is contingent on the establishment of updated Early Years Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) by the independent Early Years Joint Labour Committee (JLC). This funding will take effect from 1 September 2026 or the date that updated EROs are established, whichever is the later.
When new EROs have been established, the next steps that are required by Partner Services will be communicated. However, in preparation for this, it is important that services have their application information for the 2026/2027 Core Funding programme year up to date and ensure their most recent application record is at an ‘Approved’ status.
If your service requires support, additional resources are available on the Early Years Hive.
Your local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) also remain available to assist you in completing your Core Funding application record.
If you require any further assistance or clarification on any of the above, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) by raising a Service Request.
Regards,
The Early Years Team
