Early education funding for children with SEND
Sources of funding for children with SEND
Disability Access Fund (DAF)
This fund is for childcare providers (including schools) to claim an extra £800 per financial year for some 3 and 4-year-old children who need extra support to access their free entitlement for 3 - 4 year olds.
To be eligible the child should be getting Disability Living Allowance.
They do not have to take up the full entitlement to be eligible. (Four-year olds in primary school reception classes are not eligible for DAF funding)
Parents must nominate which provider will receive the funding. Any resources bought will remain the property of the provider. However, if the child is moving to another provider, a transfer of the resources is possible, if it helps the child to access the new provision. Resources can also be used by the parent at home if it is felt that this will benefit the child.
Families should give their childcare provider a copy of their Disability Living Allowance (DLA) award letter and ask their provider to claim DAF for their child. The provider then needs to tick the DAF box on their online 3 and 4 year old funding claim form and send the copy of the DLA award letter to the Early Education Funding Team at earlyeducation@oxfordshire.gov.uk.
SEN Inclusion Fund
The SEN Inclusion Fund is available to providers of 3 and 4 year olds with low level, emerging SEN needs who get Early Education Funding and are not yet in a reception class.
Currently this SEN funding offers providers a contribution of £38.50 per week during school term times (or stretched offer). This fund is not aimed at children who have higher or more complex needs such as those who might be getting Disability Living Allowance nor those who have an Education Health Care Plan (additional funding is available for settings seeking to support these children.)
Early Years Inclusion Support Scheme (EYISS)
This funding will enable disabled children to access play, childcare and leisure opportunities with other children. The priority for this scheme is to support the disabled children of families on benefits and/or a low income access short break opportunities in out of school activities and/or holiday activities.
It is available for children under five years of age with impairments or emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties who would otherwise be prevented from taking part. The funding is for short-term support, e.g. for a term, or during a holiday playscheme.