Distribution of Early Years Funding for all three and four years olds
As of September 2016, a new formula will be used to aid the distribution of early years funding for all three and four-year-olds. This also effected the funding and support given to children with SEND.
The new formula is believed by experts to leave massive gaps in funding for children with SEND meaning some children will be turned away by childcare settings as they will not be able to meet the children’s needs.
It is thought that the new calculations made for those who receive funding does not actually reflect those children within the community and therefore it means that areas with high numbers of children with SEND are not giving enough funding to support this. This is because the calculations are being based on a formula involving those children who parents claim DLA. Not all parents with be entitled to DLA but this does not mean that their children are receiving SENCO support while in settings or does not have SEND.
It is a large worry that because of the new formula being used to calculate the funding that is available for each local authority that children SEND and parents who often need the support and guidance will not receive the care and learning that they need. This is a huge shame and may have a huge negative effect on children across England.
The government is claiming this won’t happen as the formula for SEND funding is only a small fraction of the overall funding that each local authority will receive. They suggest that because of this children will not be turned away and there will be enough resources available to each local authority and early years settings to support all children’s individual needs.