Funded childcare places

Inclusion Funding may be available to early years settings, when children with very complex needs would benefit from additional staff support.

Inclusion funding for children with SEND

Most children with special educational or additional needs are successfully included in educational settings, without the need to increase the number of staff. However, in circumstances where children with the most complex needs would benefit from additional staffing, Early Years Inclusion Funding may be available.

Who can apply

If you are an early years provider educating children with very complex needs, you may be eligible to apply for inclusion funding.

Other independent childminders, nurseries or pre-schools, validated by the council to provide early learning, can also apply for Early Years Inclusion Funding.

We accept applications for funding for children who attend Leicestershire Early Years providers only. For children that live in Leicestershire, but attend a non-Leicestershire provider, then the provider will request funding from their local authority.

For children that live outside of Leicestershire, but attend a Leicestershire provider, then the provider will request funding from Leicestershire.

If parents or carers have any concerns regarding the panel’s decision, they should discuss this with their Early Years Provider in the first instance. If concerns are still raised, they should contact the Early Years Inclusion and Childcare Duty Desk and ask to speak to the chair of the panel, details of which can be found on the panel paperwork. If a concern cannot be resolved at this point, then the matter should be taken to Olivia Dale, Early Years SEND and Inclusion Team Manager at the correspondence below.

Please note: The information on this page is designed for parents. If you are an Early Years provider see: Inclusion funding for children with high needs.