Early Years Funding Analyst

Kids Planet Day Nurseries Ltd.; Lymm, Altrincham; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great Benefits Package

Great Place to Work Certification 2025

Best Workplace for Women 2025

Childcare discount 80%

Job summary

Kids Planet Day Nurseries Ltd. is seeking an enthusiastic Early Years Funding Analyst to join our head office team in the North West.

This 40-hour, office-based role involves data analysis, funding reconciliation and producing monthly reports for management. You will maintain a central tracking system for EY funding streams, work with the Data Team on Power BI dashboards, ensure audit trails, and support Local Authorities with funding contracts.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of Early Years Funding experience.
• A good understanding of Early Years Funding regulations across all LA's.
• Good level of competence in Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Proven experience in a B2C environment desirable.
• Confident communication when dealing with Local Authorities (LAs).
• Excellent telephone manner and professionalism in a busy office.
• Ability to reconcile complex accounts with strong attention to detail.
• Strong numerical ability and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a central tracker covering all Early Years funding streams.
• Complete regular data analysis to identify trends, gaps, and over/underclaims.
• Analyse funding performance by nursery, region, LA and funding stream.
• Assist reconciling expected funding against payments received.
• Produce monthly funding reports, dashboards and exception reports.
• Develop and maintain Power BI reporting with the Data Team.
• Maintain evidence and audit trail for funding claims and contracts.
• Escalate material funding risks and missed deadlines promptly.
• Support pre-audit checks and Local Authority submissions.
• Assist with EY Funding Analysis audits (in-person or virtual).
• Contribute to process improvements to reduce risk and increase efficiency.

Skills

Early Years Funding

Data analysis

Communication

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Numerical ability

Calm under pressure

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Power BI

Job description

Kids Planet is an independent, family run group of nurseries providing the highest standard of nursery care across the UK.

Early Years Funding Analyst

Location: This role is currently based at our head office in Lymm, which will be relocating to Altrincham in early 2027.

Job Specifications: 40 hours per week, office-based, travel to Nurseries when required.

Reporting to: Early Years Funding Manager

Responsibilities

• Maintain a central tracker covering all Early Years funding streams, including funded entitlements, EYPP, DAF, SEND and inclusion funding, deprivation supplements and other Local Authority-specific funding.
• Complete regular data analysis to identify trends, funding gaps, underclaims, overclaims, payment variances and potential lost income.
• Analyse funding performance by nursery, region, Local Authority and funding stream.
• Assist with reconciling expected funding against payments received and investigate discrepancies promptly.
• Produce clear monthly funding reports, dashboards and exception reports for management.
• Work with the Data Team to develop and maintain accurate Power BI reporting for funding performance deadlines and risks.
• Maintain supporting evidence and a clear audit trail for all funding claims, together with completion of funding contracts across all nurseries, including new acquisitions.
• Escalate material funding risks, missed deadlines and unresolved payment discrepancies to the Early Years Funding Manager.
• Ensure pre-audit compliance checks are completed and documentation collated and submitted to Local Authorities as required.
• When possible, to support with Early Years Funding Analysis audits (face-to-face & virtual) to ensure compliance with statutory guidance.
• Support continuous improvement of funding processes, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce risk
• Any other duties deemed appropriate to the role

Ideal applicant

• At least 3 years of Early Years Funding experience.
• A good understanding of Early Years Funding regulations across all different LA's
• Good level of competence in Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Proven experience in a B2C environment desirable
• Confident communication skills especially when dealing with LA's
• An excellent telephone manner
• Self-motivated, calm and professional, and able to work efficiently in a busy office environment
• Ability to reconcile complex accounts and have excellent attention to detail
• Excellent Numerical ability and problem-solving skill.

Why join Kids Planet?

• A supportive, friendly team
• Great Benefits Package
• Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26
• Ranked UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025
• Crowned NMT's Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second year running
• 80% Childcare Discount - T&Cs apply.

What's in it for you?

• Free breakfast, lunches and healthy snacks including fresh fruit.
• Accredited training with the KP Academy.
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity Fertility and Adoption leave.
• Dedicated wellbeing package.
• Highly discounted childcare.
• 25 days annual leave plus a day off for your birthday.
• Life Insurance cover and access to a health plan.

This recruitment opportunity offers the successful candidate a competitive salary and pension whilst working within a professional team.

We are unable to offer any kind of visa sponsorship for this role.

We embrace everyone. Our goal is to create a truly inclusive culture and diverse workforce. We break down barriers so you can be your authentic self and flourish!

Kids Planet is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the well‑being of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. We expect all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment, and safeguarding training is a fundamental part of every role. All colleagues are required to complete regular training to ensure they understand and fulfil their responsibilities. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is mandatory for all positions, and this role will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our safeguarding duties.

Kids Planet is committed to equal opportunities for all. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our staff and children. Applications are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.