Childcare for children with SEND
Most children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will be able to begin their education in the same mainstream nurseries, childminders, pre-schools and playgroups as other children.
Choosing childcare
All childminders, playgroups and nurseries should welcome children with special educational needs and disabilities, but their atmosphere, experience and facilities vary. You will need to visit a few and think about what will suit your child.
Amaze publishes a fact sheet with tips on what to look for when you are choosing childcare for a child with SEND.
Get details of local nurseries and pre-schools from your local Family Information Service or Local Offer SEND directory.
Brighton & Hove Family Information Service
Brighton & Hove Local Offer directory
East Sussex 1Space Local Offer directory
East Sussex Community Information Service (ESCIS)
Our SENDIASS advisers may be able to help you think over your pre-school choices. Visit our SENDIASS page.
Paying for childcare
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours per week of free childcare for 38 weeks. You may be able to have your free childcare spread over 52 weeks if you take less than 15 hours per week with your childcare provider.
The universal entitlement to childcare begins from the term after your child’s third birthday until the term in which they turn five.
Working parents
Since September 2024, parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years old can access 15 hours free childcare per week (for 38 weeks) if one or both of their parents are working or on maternity, paternity or shared parental leave. By September 2025, this will extend to 30 hours.
To qualify, your income must be within a certain range. If you are applying as a single parent you should be working (or expecting to work) for at least 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for the next three months. If you are married, in a civil partnership or living with a partner, you must apply as a couple. Each member of the couple must work for at least 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage/Living Wage. There are some exceptions to these rules, for example if you are self-employed or if one of the partners is on certain benefits. Find out more about these exceptions on the Working Families website.
If you or your partner have an expected adjusted net income over £100,000 in the current tax year, you will not be eligible.
Check your eligibility at gov.uk or visit the Childcare Choices website for more information.
Parents receiving benefits
If you are on certain low income benefits or your child has additional needs, you can get 15 hours of free childcare when your child is 2 years old.
Qualifying benefits for the parent include Universal Credit, Jobseekers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance.
To be eligible under the additional needs criteria, children must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance.
Additional funding for children with SEND
Nurseries and pre-school settings may also be able to access additional funding to help successfully include children with SEND in their setting. This is sometimes called Childcare Inclusion Funding or Access Funding. It can be used for extra staffing costs, to buy special equipment or make adaptations to the premises.
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