Early Years Inclusion Funding (EYIF)

Early years providers and schools can apply for additional funding for children under five who have additional needs and/or disabilities. They should be accessing an early education funded place. (EEF).

To find out more about the eligibility criteria, application process and the Early Years Inclusion Fund (EYIF) rates please see Eligibility Criteria for the EY Inclusion and High Needs Funding.

• Inclusion Fund application form
• Inclusion Fund Specialist Equipment application form
• Inclusion Fund flowchart

A panel meets twice per term to go through the applications received for the Inclusion Fund and will contact childcare settings and schools afterwards to inform them of the panel decision.

Children who live in Solihull, who are undergoing an EHCP assessment will automatically be funded at level 2 and settings / schools do not need to submit an application to the Inclusion Fund Panel to receive this funding.

Where children under 2 have emerging special needs, the referral for EYIF comes through Solihull Specialist Inclusion Support (SISS) or through the Early Years Team.

The panel will require the following:

1. Please only send in the required documents:

• Early Years SEN Inclusion Fund Application Form
• Reviewed Action Plans – this must include targets linked to the child’s needs and outcomes from the additional support. This outlines the graduated approach.
• You can send reports from referrals to specialists if you feel this supports your application.

2. All applications for Inclusion Fund level 2 must be agreed by a specialist from the Early Years Team or SISS. The above evidence must still be included in applications.

3. All applications should be sent electronically to eysendfundingApp@solihull.gov.uk

4. To process applications for equipment funding quickly please include information/advice from a specialist teacher to support the request.

5. Solihull LA will request a monitoring form is completed every year to follow up spend and impact of EYIF on approved children. For under 2s EYIF, it is likely that there will be a high level of support from the local authority. Monitoring will be through application of the initial request and observation of this in practice.

6. As outlined in the Eligibility Criteria for the EY Inclusion and High Needs Funding, Inclusion funding levels 1 and 2 are available to all children in a Solihull setting regardless of where they live.

Do I need to reapply for children each term?

Settings with children receiving Early Years Inclusion Funding do not need to reapply for funding each term. Inclusion Fund will remain with the child until they enter school reception or until they no longer need it.

Where funded children move setting within Solihull, early years funding moves with them. Nurseries should ensure that the new setting is given all relevant information, including plans with outcomes, and the Family Information Service should be informed.

Further information and support is available via our Early Years and Childcare pages.

To view the latest rates paid for Inclusion Funding visit our Forms and Guidance page.

Inclusion Fund Panel Dates 2024/25:

Applications and additional information will not be accepted after the cut off date.

Documents:

• Early Years Inclusion Fund Report 2022-2023
• Terms of Reference 2023/24
• Early Years Inclusion Fund FAQs
• Solihull Early Years Inclusion Fund Parents Leaflet