Support with the cost of childcare for children with special educational needs or disability
Good quality childcare is beneficial for all children. It can ;play a hugely important role in your child's development, allowing them to become independent, to mix ;with other children and to learn new things. Choosing the right childcare can be a difficult decision for every parent, particularly if your child has a special educational need or disability (SEND).
If you are considering a childcare place for your child with special educational needs or disability, you can be confident that your child will be welcomed and supported by childcare providers in Southend. All early years childcare providers, such as nurseries and pre-schools and childminders, which offer free early education places for two, three or four year olds, must meet the requirements of the SEND Code of Practice.
There is lots of help to support parents with the cost of childcare.
Free early education places for 2-year-olds.
Parents can get a free early education place for two-year-olds if they are in receipt of certain benefits. This is also available for children who have an EHC Plan, or who receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Eligible parents can get up to 15 hours per week up to 570 hours of funded childcare a year per child.
Free early education places for 3 and 4 -year-olds.
All 3 to 4-year-olds can get up to 15 hours free early education per week up to 570 hours a year per child.
Eligible working parents of 3- and 4-year-olds can get an additional 15 hours free early education per week up to 1140 hours a year per child.
Tax Free Childcare
You can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child has a disability (up to £4,000 a year).
Disability Access Fund (DAF)
Your childcare provider can get extra funding if your child is three or four years old, accesses a funded early education childcare place, and is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. The funding is currently worth £881 a year to help your childcare provider make reasonable adjustments at their setting to improve your child's access.
New ways parents can get free early education from April 2024
In the government's spring budget, the Chancellor announced transformative reforms to childcare for parents and children, helping working families with their childcare costs.
These new offers will empower parents, allowing them to progress their careers and support their families. The new entitlements will be introduced in phases:
- from April 2024, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds can access 15 hours per week.
- from September 2024, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3-years-old can access 15 hours per week.
- from September 2025, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3-years-old can access 30 hours free childcare per week.
You can look for a local childcare provider on the Southend Livewell childcare directory. If you need help finding a childcare place to meet your needs, contact earlyyears@southend.gov.uk
You can find out more information about help with childcare costs on the Government Childcare Choices website. Use the Childcare Cost Calculator to find out how much help you could get towards the cost of childcare.