Early Years Inclusion Funding

Early Education and Childcare Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities places a requirement on all local authorities to establish an Early Years Inclusion Fund to support 3 and 4-year olds, however in Reading this has been extended to include 2-year-old children.

The EYIF is for 2, 3 and 4-year-old children in private, voluntary and independent settings, childminders and nurseries who are accessing the early education entitlement.

EYIF will focus on emerging and lower level SEN i.e where a child requires some provision in addition to or different from the settings usual graduated approach to help children learn. Children with more complex SEND will receive support from the High Needs Block (HNB) funding; it is not a requirement for early year’s children to have or be in the process of having an EHCP to access the HNB funding.

Reviewed - July 2022

Who is it for?

All early years providers who are registered to offer the early years funding entitlements can claim on behalf of the child. Early years inclusion funding is there to help providers deliver extra support to children who are displaying emerging additional needs.

The below is applicable to Reading children only; Out of authority children in a Reading setting should refer to the LA to which the child lives.

2-year-old children that are in receipt of 2-year-old funded entitlement; funding will be provided for any resources that are required to enable the 2-year-old funded child to access their entitlement at a setting (medical letter required)
EYIF panel will consider immediate funding for children that enter setting with diagnosis and evident that support is required to allow them to access early education
Settings can apply for bridging funding to be provided for children undergoing statutory assessment leading to a EHCP on a pro rata basis.
Settings can apply for more than 2 terms in order to meet the needs of the child.

How is the EY Inclusion Fund allocated? Dates for submissions 2022/2023

Settings must complete application forms and must be discussed with and counter-signed by the child’s parent/carer. Applications will then be reviewed at the EYIF Panel and must include sufficient detail to enable the panel members to make informed decisions.

Early Years Inclusion Funding Panel Dates for 2022 – 2023 financial year

Please ensure that the paperwork is submitted to Vicki.Allen@brighterfuturesforchildren.org for the deadline date.

The paperwork will then be shared with panel members ahead of the panel.

Panel will continue to resume as virtual until further notice and you will receive a TEAMs invite to the panel.

Please note if you are submitting a request to continue a child who is already receiving inclusion funding and have not received an Impact Visit – please contact Aimee.Trimmer@brighterfuturesforchildren.org to discuss next steps.

Date of Panel Deadline for paperwork to be submitted:

Term	Submission Deadline	Date of Panel
Summer Term 2022	04/05/2022	12/05/2022
Autumn Term 2022	05/10/2022	13/10/2022
Spring Term 2023	01/02/2023	09/02/2023

How do I apply?

All applications to be completed via the Early Years SEND Advisory Service and application forms sent to Vicki.Allen@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

Early Years SEND Advisors

Aimee Trimmer – aimee.trimmer@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

Angela Smith - Angela.Smith@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

Samantha Smith - Samantha.Smith@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

If a family needs further help or support please complete the Children's Single Point of Access

Useful Links & Information

Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage 3^rd April 2017

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/596629/EYFS_STATUTORY_FRAMEWORK_2017.pdf

Early Years: Guide to the 0 to 25 SEND Code of Practice: Advice for early years providers that are funded by the local authority’ (Sept 2014), which outlines statutory duties that relate to early years provision: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/350685/Early_Years_Guide_to_SEND_Code_of_Practice_-_02Sept14.pdf

EY Funding Formula Operational Guide 2020-21

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/853644/Early_years_operational_guide_2020_to_2021.pdf

Impact - Early Years Inclusion Panel

Impact and Outcomes of the Early Years Inclusion Panel.

July 2020 multi professional panel, 13 applications approved for funding additional support in private, voluntary and maintained nursery school Early Years Providers.
October 2020 multi professional panel, 32 applications approved for funding additional support in private, voluntary and maintained nursery school early years providers.
November 2020 multi professional panel, 14 applications approved for funding additional support in private, voluntary and maintained nursery school early years providers.

Initial observations or conversations with those professionals are carried out prior to panel which also provides an opportunity to explore other interventions, pathways and a support network for the child. The revised Early Years Inclusion process has led to an increase in applications and meeting the commitment of ensuring that children continue to receive the support in their Early Years setting.

Panel	Number of new applications	Total number of applications for the panel (including continuations)
January 2021	22	57
February 2021	8	12
May 2021	12	45
June 2021	12	25
October 2021	6	19
November 2021	5	6

The number of applications that have been approved at recent panels:

Term	Number of new applications	Number of continuations	Number of children that will receive funding
Autumn Term 2021	11	14	25 children
Spring Term 2022	8	21	34 children
Summer Term 2022	16	25	46 children