Early years and childcare

When children are aged between 0-5 years, they are said to be in their “early years”. The early years are an important time for all children because experiences early-on in life can have long-term effects on development. They can be especially crucial years for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Information, help and advice

Choosing childcare for children with SEND
For parents/carers of children who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the following questiopns may be useful when choosing the right childcare provider: What experience do you have of supporting children with additional needs? Do you have any specific qualifications for supporting children…
30 hours free childcare LA and early years provider guide
The operational guidance to support the delivery of the 30 hours extended entitlement was published on 21st April 2017. The guidance can be found here. This builds on the statutory guidance and is intended to support local authorities and providers understand in more detail the…
30 hours free early education for eligible 3 & 4-year-olds (extended entitlement)
All three- and four-year-old children in the UK receive 15 hours of free childcare per week. Some children may also be entitled to an additional 15 hours of free childcare, otherwise known as the '30 Hours Childcare' or 'Extended Entitlement'. This entitlement would overall amount to…
15 hours free early learning for 2-year-olds
Is your family living on a low income or claiming income based benefits? Does your two year old have additional needs, or have they left care? You may be entitled to claim free childcare up to a maximum of 15 hours during term time, or 11…
Assessing children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities
Children with special educational needs (SEN) have needs or disabilities that affect their ability to learn. Special educational needs aren't always a lifelong problem. Some children only need support for a short time. Just because your child is learning more slowly than others doesn't mean…
Pre-school health notifications
When a health care professional identifies that a young child, under 5, may have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) they are required by law to tell the local authority. This is called a Health Early Notification. In the Bi-Borough (Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster),…
Speech and language therapy for early years
Please click here to download a leaflet about the Early Years Speech Languange Therapy (SLT) service. This service is available to preschool children (0 - 5 years), who have problems with their speech, language and communication, or with eating and drinking. All children who live in Kensington…
Early years support in the home for children with SEND
Drawn by Nico, age 6 Early Support Service Early Support is a key working service available to families caring for children (aged 0-5) with a complex disability requiring them to be in contact with a wide range of health and social care professionals. It provides…