What the funding is for
The Early Years Disability Access Fund (DAF) is funding that supports early years childcare providers to make reasonable adjustments.
These adjustments help build a child’s capacity or benefit all children attending the provider. This might be small adaptations or special equipment that helps a child.
Early years childcare providers include:
- childminders
- nurseries and schools
- other private, voluntary or independent early years providers
It’s awarded at a fixed annual rate per child (currently £938) and does not affect any other benefits or funding the parent, carer or child receives.
Who is eligible
A child may be eligible for support from the Disability Access Fund if all the following apply. They:
- receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- meet certain eligibility criteria for 15 and 30 hours government funded hours
If you have additional questions on the DAF eligibility criteria, please email SENIF-DAF@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Find out more about Disability Living Allowance for children (GOV.UK)
Read our Easy Read guide to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children:
How to apply
Funding applications must come from the early years childcare provider.
Before making an application
Before making an application it’s important to understand that:
- childcare providers can only apply for early years DAF for children who meet the eligibility criteria
- application must be made to the council area where the childcare provider is located, even if the child lives in a different council area
- if a child attends 2 childcare providers for their free entitlement, the parent or carer must choose which one receives the DAF funding
- if a child moves childcare provider during the financial year, the funding stays with the original provider - funds cannot be transferred and the new provider cannot apply for DAF for that child in the same year
Making an application
The applicant needs to:
- Read the Early Years SEN inclusion Fund (SENIF) and Disability Access Fund (DAF) guidance and information:
- Watch the SENIF and DAF video guide.
- Download and complete pages 2 to 6 and appendix D of the Early Years SEN Inclusion Fund and Disability Access Fund (DAF) application and review form.
- Download and sign the parental declaration form and include this with a copy of the child’s DLA award letter in your application.
- Read the Tips for providers in completing invoices for SENIF and DAF payments.
- Include an invoice for £938 - download and use the Early Years SENIF and DAF invoice template.
- Email the completed form and invoice to SENIF-DAF@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or post it to Early Years funding, SEND Outreach Service, Discovery School, Battery Road, West Thamesmead, London, SE28 0JN
What happens next
If we receive a complete application containing all the necessary information and invoice for payment, we’ll notify you as the provider and make the payment direct to you.
If the application is incomplete or inappropriate, we’ll contact you to let you know.
Contact us
If you have any questions, contact us by:
- email at SENIF-DAF@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
- post at SEND Outreach Services, Discovery School, Battery Road, West Thamesmead, London SE28 0JN
- telephone on 0208 921 3311