Disability access fund (DAF)
The Disability access fund (link opens in new window) (DAF) offers funding to early years providers to support children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) by removing barriers which prevent children from accessing their free early education entitlement.
To claim this funding, a child must meet certain national criteria. Providers can claim the funding once the parent/carer has nominated them as the main provider of their child’s early education entitlement, and demonstrated their child is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (link opens in new window).
3 and 4-year olds will be eligible for the Disability access fund if the child:
- is in receipt of child disability living allowance (DLA) and
- attends an early years provider for the funded entitlement
Note: Four-year olds in primary and infant school reception classes are NOT eligible for DAF funding. Children become eligible for free early education at different points in the year depending on when they turn 3.
Contact your early years provider for more information about claiming DAF.
More information can be found on GOV.UK - Disability access fund (DAF) (link opens in new window).