This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Childcare Development Coordinator and Early Years Clare Thompson for the attention of All Early Years Settings including Schools with Nursery Classes, Nursery Schools, PVI Settings and Childminders.
During February 2020 Slough Early Years Service consulted on the effective use of the Early Years Inclusion Grant and Disability Access Fund.
We consulted with the sector on how we could broaden the use of the early years inclusion grant and utilise the DAF underspend in order to ensure that the funding directly reaches children.
A summary of the findings and responses can be found below and a copy of the full report is attached:
- Slough Early Years Service will continue to work with providers and parents to raise awareness of the different Early Years SEND funding entitlements.
- All documentation relating to the funding entitlements will continue to be accessible on the Link website and will be available in the appendices of the Provider Agreement 2020.
- 97.6% of respondents agreed to using the Early Years Inclusion Grant to commission training. Slough Early Years Service will work with colleagues from SEBDOS and external training providers to meet the requests highlighted in the feedback report.
- 97.6% of respondents felt that the criteria should include 2 year olds with low level emerging needs. Slough Early Years Services will apply changes to the criteria from April 2020.
- 79% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the inclusion grant funding could be used to develop the Level 3 Early Years SENCO qualification across Slough; this will be explored throughout 2020.
- Slough Early Years Service will consider organising a SEND conference / event and a transition event / session during 2020.
- Slough Early Years Service will review the budget allocation for the Inclusion Grant and priorities spend in accordance with the above table.
If you have any comments or questions about the findings / responses please contact earlyyears@slough.gov.uk