Strategic Early Education Funding Officer

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council; Dudley; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an Early Education Finance Officer to administer and monitor Early Education Funding (EEF) to support and deliver national expansion. You will process payments for eligible children aged nine months to four years, including Early Years Pupil Premium, Disability Access Fund and Early Years Inclusion Fund, and advise providers on the online portal, headcounts and funding requests.

Audits and reports may also be involved.

Qualifications

• Finance or accountancy experience, including reporting to senior managers.
• Experience maintaining auditable financial and record-keeping systems.
• Knowledge of financial regulations, data protection (UK GDPR) and audits.
• Proficient with finance software, databases and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication, customer service and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a small, fast-paced team.
• Understanding of the early years and childcare sector.

Responsibilities

• Process accurate, timely payments for eligible children aged nine months to four years, including Early Years Pupil Premium, Disability Access Fund and Early Years Inclusion Fund.
• Support provider compliance with statutory guidance, the Dudley Code of Practice and Provider Agreement.
• Advise providers on the online portal, termly headcounts and funding requests.
• Explain early years entitlements to parents and carers through the service helpline.
• Prepare financial reports, maintain auditable records and support provider audits.
• This public-facing role includes contact with providers and schools and may involve audit visits.

Skills

Finance experience

Auditable financial systems

UK GDPR knowledge

Finance software

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Prioritisation

Early years sector understanding

Tools

Finance software

Databases

Microsoft Office

Job description

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an Early Education Finance Officer to administer and monitor Early Education Funding (EEF) to support and deliver national expansion. You will process payments for eligible children aged nine months to four years, including Early Years Pupil Premium, Disability Access Fund and Early Years Inclusion Fund, and advise providers on the online portal, headcounts and funding requests.

Audits and reports may also be involved.