Information on available funding

Many children can access free or funded nursery places. The funding your child could receive depends on their age, and if you are working parents.

Some children with SEND can access additional funding. This could:

  • support you and your child at home
  • fund towards any extra support your child may need in their early years setting. 

The additional setting SEND funding is called Early Years Inclusion Fund, and a nursery or childminder must apply for it. The early years setting will need to show evidence of the graduated approach (i.e. SEND support plans) before they can apply.

The SEND inclusion fund is available for the government funded hours a child attends but not for additional childcare hours. This is usually 15 or 30 hours. Additional funding is not for:

  • parent paid hours
  • reception classes
  • funding additional hours. 

It doesn’t fund that which should be ordinarily available but should support the aspects of care and learning outlined in the child’s setting support plan.

You may be eligible to apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). If you are in receipt of DLA, your child’s nursery can also claim an annual additional funding payment to help them support your child in their setting. Please tell your child's nursery if you are getting DLA.

There are some local charities that support families of children with SEND if they need support to purchase equipment.

Additional advice and support

Supporting SEND if my child attends a nursery

Supporting SEND if my child does not attend a nursery

Further information

More information is available on the parent toolkit