Online inclusion funding application process
Many settings apply for additional ‘top up’ inclusion funding to support children with special needs within their early year’s provisions. eyinclusion@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
The ‘top up’ funding is in addition to the Graduated Response (GR) levels that practitioners can allocate to children in receipt of Nursery Education Funding (NEF) on the Provider Portal.
‘Top Up’ funding includes:
- GR4 challenge funding - for complex children where there is a requirement for additional staffing to be in place for the majority of the child’s time in nursery
- exceptional funding - for complex children who meet specific criteria
Inclusion funding is also available for children not in receipt of nursery Education Funding (NEF):
- children 0-3 and not receiving NEF
- children who are in receipt of NEF, but who do not stretch funding – holiday funding is available
- children of school age who attend out of school and/or holiday provision
Criteria is available in the ‘Inclusion Funding Criteria’
The WCF Inclusion team are aware of the considerable time constraints experienced by early years SENCO’s and childminders and have created an online system for early years provisions to apply for inclusion funding. The aim is to reduce the time taken completing the application forms, and the system will also allow the team to highlight to settings when any relevant monitoring forms need to be completed, with these also being made available online.
There will be no requirement for settings to upload additional information to support the application (individual planning documents, early support sheets etc). The Early Years inclusion team will contact any settings where they require more information to make a decision on the amount of funding to be awarded.
If you have any queries about using the new system please do not hesitate to contact the Early Years Inclusion team on 01905 843099 or email eyinclusion@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk.
Inclusion funding criteria
Download: Local Inclusion Fund Criteria (PDF)
Please apply for inclusion funding below:
GR4 + Challenge and / or Exceptional Funding Applications
Academic Year 24 to 25 Inclusion Supplement 'Top up' Applications- Early Years provisions
Monitoring form for Academic Year 23-24 Inclusion Supplement 'Top Up' Applications
The monitoring forms need to be completed within a set time each term. The forms will be available for limited time periods only. Before and after these dates, the forms will not be available to complete.
Termly '0-3 NON-NEF' Inclusion Supplement Application
Submit a Termly '0-3 NON-NEF' Inclusion Supplement Application
Holiday and out of school Inclusion Supplement Funding Applications
This grant is to enable the inclusion of children with additional needs and/or disabilities in out of school and holiday settings.
It is designed to provide financial support to increase staffing ratios in the setting to meet children's needs.
This includes:
- children under 5 who are attending holiday provision (and who do not receive stretched NEF funding)
- children over 5 who attend out of school or holiday provision and have an EHCP
Provider must not be currently judged Inadequate or Requires Improvement by Ofsted.
Holiday and Out of School Inclusion Supplement Funding Application
It is a secure system, so children’s details can be provided.
Early Years Inclusion Funding Monitoring
All funding applications require a termly monitoring form to be completed. There is no exception.
The aim of the monitoring process is to monitor the impact of the funding upon the child’s progress.
Failure to submit your monitoring form will result in funding being withheld.
The monitoring forms are monitoring the impact of the funding in the same term of which you are completing it.
Completing a monitoring form without completing an application form, will result in non-payment.
Monitoring Form Dates for Completion
The date ranges to complete and submit your monitoring forms are:
- Spring Term: Between the 1 to 15 February each year
- Summer Term: Between the 1 to 15 June each year
- Autumn Term: Between the 1 to 15 November each year
The monitoring forms need to be completed within a set time each term. The forms will be available for limited time periods only. Before and after these dates, the forms will not be available to complete.
There is also a parent or carer’s version which can be completed, in addition to your provider form.
Additional funding information
Download: Inclusion funding panel deadline dates (PDF)
Information on when the inclusion funding panel meets to make decisions on applications. Includes deadlines for when applications MUST be received by.
Download: Inclusion supplement calculator and recording spend sheet (Excel)
Excel spreadsheet to help settings predict their termly inclusion funding in order to spend it appropriately throughout the whole term. It also includes an overview sheet for recording the inclusion spend, and the outcomes the spend achieves.
Download: Local Inclusion Fund guidance - Ordinarily Available in early years 2019 to 2020 (PDF)
Full guidance on the process, provision requirements and funding available to support children with additional needs within Worcestershire early years settings.
Download: WCF local Inclusion Fund Overview of GR Levels (PDF)