What the funding can be used for
Providers can use the fund to cater for a wide range of individual needs. It should enhance good quality provision to enable children to fully access the early years foundation stage.
The additional provision provided should relate to one or more of the following broad areas of need. These are as documented in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0-25 years.
A. Communication and interaction
Those children who, despite appropriate intervention, need a high level of individual support because of difficulty with one, some, or all of the different aspects of speech, language or social communication.
B. Cognition and learning
Support for learning difficulties may be required when children learn at a slower pace than their peers, even with appropriate differentiation.
C. Social, emotional and mental health difficulties
Children may experience a wide range of social and emotional difficulties which manifest themselves in many ways. These may include becoming withdrawn or isolated, as well as displaying challenging or disruptive behaviour.
D. Sensory and physical needs
Children with physical needs, vision impairment, hearing impairment or a multi-sensory impairment may require specialist support or equipment to access their learning.
When completing the application form, please refer to the additional guidance notes.
Early years inclusion funding to provide specialist equipment
Applications for specialist equipment must be:
- completed by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist
- in conjunction with parents or carers and the early years provider
Applications to transfer specialist equipment must be:
- completed by an occupational therapist
- in conjunction with parents or carers and the early years provider