What is the Early Years Inclusion Fund

The Early Years Inclusion Fund helps early years providers support the needs of individual children with lower level or emerging special education needs (SEN).

Who the fund is for

The Early Years Inclusion Fund supports 3 and 4 year olds who:

  • get free early education funding
  • are behind their expected level of development by 6 months plus, in at least 2 areas of learning.

The funding is for use in the setting and will be given to the provider.

The Early Years Inclusion Fund is not for:

  • 2 year olds receiving free early education funding
  • children with more complex needs and those in receipt of an education, health and care plan - they will continue to be eligible for funding from the high needs block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

How much is available

For the current financial year of 2023-24, there is a maximum fund of £370,000 available for children accessing early years education in Lambeth.

This amount will be reviewed at the end of the financial year.

How it's being used

Part of the fund has already bought in educational psychologist sessions to help early years providers address the needs of individual children with lower level or emerging SEN.

This additional professional support will run from September 2023 to March 2024. 

The remainder of the fund will be given to early years settings to use. See how settings can use the fund.