Early years inclusion funding is there to help providers deliver extra support to children who are displaying emerging additional needs. The extra funding could be used by providers to pay for things such as additional equipment or staff training to support the child.

Who can make a claim?

Providers who are registered to offer free early years education can claim on behalf of the child. This includes private, voluntary and independent settings, childminders and nurseries.

Your provider can not apply for EY inclusion funding if they have already applied for disability access funding (DAF) on behalf of the child.

Who is the funding for?

To be eligible for the funding, the child must be:

  • in receipt of free early education for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.
  • In receipt of support from a health professional specifically for the emerging or low level need. This might include a health visitor, GP, paediatrician, or therapist.
  • Have an emerging additional need that cannot be met by the current early years resources.
  • Not have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Inclusion funding is for low level and emerging needs.

The child does not need a diagnosis for the setting to claim, however, to be eligible the child will have an emerging additional need in one or more of the following areas:

  • communication and interaction
  • cognition and learning
  • social and emotional development
  • sensory and/or physical development.

What can the money be used for?

The extra funding could be used by providers to pay for things such as additional equipment or staff training to support the child.

The amount of funding awarded is a set amount of £250 per child.

The setting can use the funding flexibly. This may look different for each provider and for each child.

How to apply

Speak to your early years provider if you want to explore this funding with them.

  • Providers can use the funding system on the Early Years portal (a network for professionals), when applications open each academic term.
  • Providers will need to confirm that the child has been assessed as having an emerging additional need and is receiving support from a professional.
  • The provider should also confirm that the child is not in receipt of exceptional needs funding (ENF).
  • Applications can only be submitted for individual children (i.e. no applications for multiple children).
  • If your child is attending more than one setting to access their free hours, then only the provider who supplies the most hours is able to apply for the funding.

Need more detail?

Contact childcare@hertfordshire.gov.uk for more information.

Related Advice

Disability Access Fund (DAF)

Free early education for 2, 3 and 4 year olds

Page was last updated on: 07/09/2023 12:06:16