• Bigger
  • Smaller

Early Years Funding – Inclusion Funding

If an early years setting is on the Ofsted register, they can apply for inclusion funding if they are a:

  • childminder
  • nursery or pre-school
  • school with a nursery offering FEEE funding
  • breakfast, after-school and holiday club

The funding can be used to pay towards an enhanced level of adult support for a child who has:

  • a disability
  • special educational needs
  • a medical need

The setting must use the funding to:

  • give full support to the child
  • help the child to feel included
  • help the child to take part in activities

They cannot use the funding to:

  • buy training
  • buy resources
  • set up or attend meetings

Early Years and Childcare Funding Panel

Parents and professionals make up the Early Years and Childcare Funding Panel. The Chair is a councillor from Essex County Council. They will look at evidence to make sure the child needs the level of help in the application.

The Funding Panel meets on the third Tuesday of the month. If the application is successful, funding will start from the date of the meeting to the end of each financial year.