SEND support in early years

Support available in early years settings

Early years settings use a graduated approach to identify needs, provide support and review progress. Support is matched to each child's needs and may increase over time.

Universal support

Early years cover children from birth to 5 years old. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a framework that tells childcare professionals how best to support children's learning and development.

The Early Years Foundation Stage ensures that all young children:

• have access to high-quality early education and childcare
• are supported to learn and develop at their own pace
• save their individual needs identified as early as possible
• receive appropriate support if they have SEND
• are helped to make a successful transition into school

Early years providers must:

• identify children who may have SEND
• do their best to give children with SEND the support they need
• help children with SEND join in with activities alongside other children

Targeted support

Disability Access Fund

The Disability Access Fund provides additional funding to early years providers to help children with disabilities access their funded early education place.

The funding can be used for things such as:

• equipment and resources
• staff training
• reasonable adjustments within the setting
• support to meet a child's individual needs

A child may be eligible if they:

• receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• are accessing a funded early education entitlement, such as funded childcare for children aged 9 months to 4 years

Find out more information about the Disability Access Fund.

Early Years SEN Inclusion Funding

Early Years SEN Inclusion Funding provides additional funding for early years settings when a child with SEND needs support that cannot be met through the setting's usual resources.

The funding can be used for things such as:

• specialist equipment and resources
• staff training
• additional support for a child with SEND
• helping the setting meet a child's individual needs

A child may be eligible if they:

• have SEND and need additional support
• are accessing funded early education
• do not have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

See information on Early Years SEN Inclusion Funding.

Specialist support

Specialist support is available for children with more complex needs who require additional help to learn, develop and take part in everyday activities.

This support may include:

• assessments to better understand a child's needs
• support from specialist professionals and services
• advice and guidance for families and early years providers
• programmes designed to support a child's development and wellbeing

Examples of specialist support include:

• Portage Team who provide home-based learning and play activities to help children develop key skills and support families in their child's learning and development
• Hearing and Vision Team they support children and young people with hearing or vision impairments
• Health professionals may provide assessments, advice and support for a child's health, development and wellbeing
• Speech and Language Therapy support children who need help with communication, language, speech, listening and understanding
• Occupational Therapy help children with everyday activities, movement, coordination and independence skills
• Physiotherapy supports children with movement, balance, posture and physical development

The Portage service is coordinated by the Inclusion and Intervention Support Team (IIST).

You can find out more information about portage and early years support on our webpage.

Last updated 15 October 2026