Disability Access Fund

If your three or four year old has a special educational need or disability (SEND) your childcare provider may be able to get extra funding through the Disability Access Fund (DAF).

The fund can provide £828 per year for every child who meets its eligibility criteria. They can also receive a supplement of £53, equivalent to £30.92 for the period from September 2023 to March 2024 (one off payment per child).


What can the funding be used for?

The funding is available to help your childcare provider make reasonable adjustments at their setting to improve your child's access to funded early education and childcare. It will be paid directly to your childcare provider and they will be able to decide how it should be spent. The funding cannot be used towards your childcare fees.


Who is eligible for DAF?

Your child will be eligible if they:

Your child does not need to be using all their funded hours for your childcare provider to be able to receive the full funding.

Please note: Four year olds in primary school reception classes are not eligible for DAF funding.


How can I apply?

To apply for the funding, after completing the required Funded Early Education Declaration Form 2023 to 2024 give this to your childcare provider along with a copy of your child's DLA eligibility letter.

If your child is using their funded hours at more than one childcare provider you will need to choose which one you want to receive the funding.

The childcare provider will then need to either email or post your application to the relevant address on the form to enable them to claim the funding.


What if my child moves to another childcare provider part way through the year?

If your child is receiving DAF and moves from one setting to another, the new setting is not eligible to receive the funding until the anniversary of the first payment has passed. DAF funding received by the original setting will not be recouped.

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