Overview
The early years inclusion fund is for funded children attending early years provision in Lincolnshire. It aims to ensure that all children are included and can access their early years entitlement (EYE). This can be for any number of hours of funded entitlement.
The fund is about:
- providing equal opportunities for children with a special educational need or disability (SEND)
- supporting them to reach their potential
Within the early years foundation stage framework, early years practitioners must plan for each child’s care and learning requirements. They should focus on:
- removing or helping to counter underachievement
- overcoming barriers for children where these exist
Most children with additional or special educational needs will not require special resources or enhanced staffing to be successfully included in settings. Settings meet the additional needs of their children very well. They support children through:
- quality teaching and learning from EYFS statutory framework
- following the graduated approach from the SEND code of practice
A small percentage of children with special educational needs or disabilities may require additional support.
Our aim
We aim to promote the inclusion and participation of children attending early years provision in Lincolnshire with additional or special educational needs that result in the child falling below their expected stage of development in one or more prime areas.
Process
- Applications should be submitted to EYCC@lincolnshire.gov.uk with all the supporting evidence and documentation included.
- Providers will be notified of the outcome by email as per the inclusion funding schedule. Providers are asked to inform parents or carers of the decision.
- If the application is successful, we will add inclusion funding to the child's record as a supplement on the early year’s hub.
If the application is not successful, your early years specialist teacher will be in contact to support you with the next steps.
Funding applications can be submitted at any time during the term. We will make payments in accordance with the payment schedule.
The provider is responsible for informing us and childcare support if a child with early years inclusion funding changes their amount of EYE funded sessions.
If the child decreases their hours or ceases to attend for a funded period, the provider must report this through the live data system. We will resolve the balance of the funding through the EYE payment process.