Inclusive Early Years Fund (IEYF)

The Inclusive Mainstream Fund (IMF) is government funding designed to help schools and settings strengthen inclusive practice and improve support for children and young people with SEND and additional needs.

It focuses on developing inclusive practices across whole settings and strengthening the workforce.

IEYF complements existing funding (SEN EYIF and DAF) and signals future SEND funding reform. The Government are committed to consult on all early years funding.

You can see your likely allocation on your Provider Portal account in the Summer term 3&4 year old adjustment tab.

You can expect the payment in early Autumn 2026.

Please note this is an estimation, and subject to finalisation once DfE confirm the final grant.

Funding is based on a formula which takes into account the percentage of 3- and 4-year-old universal hours and EYPP hours reported at January 2026 census. DfE have advised LAs to have a minimum allocation of £1,000 per setting using this criterion. Solihull has chosen to follow the DfE suggested approach to allocate this grant for 2026-2027 to early years settings.

Please note, if you cannot see an adjustment in your Summer 2025/26 3&4 year old adjustments tab then unfortunately you haven’t met the threshold for funding this year.

This guidance explains how IEYF, SENIF, and DAF work together to support children with additional needs. For details on other early years funding, see the Early years entitlements: local authority funding operational guide 2026 to 2027.