Early Learning & Childcare Funding Officer - INTERNAL

We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made - please note that this also includes any CV uploaded. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.
Kirklees
Children & Families
Learning & Early Support
37
1
Mainly working from home, with monthly team office days
Permanent
6-8 (criteria must be met to progress to grade 8)
£26,403-£33,699

THIS ROLE IS INTERNALLY RESTRICTED

To apply for this job, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be an employee of Kirklees Council.
  • Be employed by Kirklees for the duration of the recruitment process – up to and including the start date.
  • Have successfully completed your probationary period.

(Please note that if you work for an Academy, you are not an employee of the Council.)

Your employment status will be checked, if you do not meet the above requirements your application will be rejected. 

The Job

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic person to join the Early Learning and Childcare Funding section of our Childcare Sufficiency Team. This is a fantastic opportunity to support delivery of the funded early learning and childcare entitlements for children in Kirklees, ensuring funding is allocated accurately and efficiently to providers.

As an Early Learning and Childcare Funding Officer, you will provide technical advice and guidance to enable the efficient submission and payment of online funding claims to your allocated providers, acting as their first point of contact. Your work will directly contribute to ensuring that the early learning and childcare entitlements are delivered effectively to eligible children.

The Team

You will be part of the Childcare Sufficiency Team which works closely with the Early Years Outcomes Team to ensure that there are sufficient, high quality early learning and childcare places across Kirklees. These statutory duties contribute to the Councils shared outcomes; Best Start in Life, Aspire and Achieve and Sustainable Economy.

The team receives over £80 million of government funding and commissions providers to deliver early learning and childcare for eligible children, currently we have over 400 registered providers.

Responsibilities of the job holder:

  • Support the administration and distribution of early learning and childcare entitlements funding.
  • Import, process and analyse provider data to determine accurate funding payments.
  • Maintain and update records using relevant ICT systems.
  • Provide professional support and guidance to providers, parents, and internal teams. 

We are seeking a highly motivated, responsible person with a keen eye for attention to accuracy and detail who is passionate about high standards and providing excellent customer service. You’ll need to be confident working with data and ICT systems, and able to communicate clearly and effectively.

You will have:

  • Excellent customer service and communication skills.
  • Experience or ability to support customers in the use of online systems to submit information.
  • A creative and proactive attitude to problem-solving.
  • Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
  • Confidence using ICT systems, particularly Excel, databases and online portals.
  • The ability to work independently and collaboratively, often to tight deadlines.

Experience in finance and funding distribution is not an essential requirement for this role.

For a full list of the role requirements please see the attached Job Profile.

If you have any questions about the role please contact Nina O’Connor (Early Learning and Childcare Funding Manager) at nina.o’connor@kirklees.gov.uk or Debbie Lea (Childcare Sufficiency Manager) at Debbie.lea@kirklees.gov.uk or phone 01484 221000.

We will be shortlisting based on your responses to a set of questions. 

Nina O'connor is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information. 
This job is subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level, please refer to the Job Description/Profile.  A conviction may not exclude candidates from appointment but will be considered as part of the recruitment process.
We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities. So, if you need any support completing an application form, or any other format for the application or Job Description please contact the Recruitment Team for help by email: jobs@kirklees.gov.uk or phone: 01484 221000 and ask for ‘Recruitment’.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We encourage you to read our AI Guidance before submitting your application to ensure your supporting statements reflect your own authentic experience.

25 May 2026, 11:55 PM

Important Information

This vacancy is closed to applications.