Early Years SEND Funding Available
Most early years settings can support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) by following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and most children’s needs are met without additional funding. Bedford Borough has co-produced with a range of key stakeholders 'Guidance on Meeting Special Educational Needs in the Early Years – A Graduated Response 2020’ which provides guidance to all Families, Early Years Practitioners and Health and Social Care Professionals to support planning and decision making for special educational needs and disability (SEND), in relation to children who are eligible for funded nursery education. You can view this Graduated Response here
All local authorities are required to establish an inclusion support fund for two to four year olds with SEND who are taking up the free Early Years Education Entitlement (FEEE). Your childcare provider will apply for this additional funding based on the criteria and thresholds set. Providers must have arrangements in place to support children with SEND or disabilities.
If an early years setting is on the Ofsted register, they can apply for this funding if they are a:
- childminder
- nursery or pre-school
- school with a nursery offering FEEE funding
Funding Deadline 2023/24
Autumn 2023
Continued application 21/06/23
New application from 20/09/23
Spring 2024
Continued application 22/11/23
New application from 24/01/24
Summer 2024
Continued application 13/04/24
New application from 01/05/24
The funding can be used to pay towards an enhanced level of adult support for a child based on criteria
The setting must use the funding to:
- give support to the child
- help the child to feel included
- help the child to take part in activities
- keep the child safe
They cannot use the funding to:
- buy training
- buy resources
- set up or attend meetings
There are a small number of children who may require an extra level of support to access their early education and childcare place. Below is a list of funding sources available: