SENIF, Pupil Premium & Disability Access Fund
Email this pageThe local authority must ensure that all providers delivering funded early education places meet the needs of children with SEN and disabled children. In order to do this the local authority has funding arrangements in place so that early education are able to provide suitable support for these children.
SENIF
From September 2024, SEN premium funding and inclusion funding will be replaced by SENIF (special educational needs inclusion funding).
SENIF is Essex County Council's new approach to top up funding; it replaces both SEN Premium and Inclusion Funding from the start of the autumn term 2024.
Early Years Premium
Children that are eligible for the below free childcare entitlement may also be eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP). The EYPP gives the childcare provider additional funding, which they can use to provide resources that will support your child.
So that they can claim this extra funding, your childcare provider will ask you to fill in the section on the Parent/Carer Agreement form. Your childcare provider will talk to you about what your child needs to help your child learn. They can then use the extra funding to make sure they get the support they need.
Disability Access Fund
If your child is in receipt of disability living allowance (DLA), then the nursery setting may be able to claim £910 per year to help meet your child's needs. This is a one-off payment paid to a provider on an annual basis (one payment per financial year)
The purpose of the DAF is to help the childcare provider make reasonable adjustments at their setting to improve the child's access to funded early education. Parents should speak to their childcare provider before they make the application.