Inclusion fund

Eligibility

All early years providers in Lancashire who are eligible to receive the 2 year old and 3/4 Year Old Early Education Funding (EEF) are able to apply for additional funding through the Inclusion Fund. Eligible providers are:

• Local Authority maintained nursery schools and nursery classes
• Private
• Voluntary
• Independent
• Childminders

As part of a pilot programme for the 2023-24 academic year, two-year-olds, the term after their second birthday, as well as those eligible for 3/4 YO EEF, can also be considered for additional funding though the Inclusion Fund.

It is expected that any applications for funding would complement the undertaking of any training ordinarily available e.g. via partners in Health (for example specific, individual health care needs such as training in tube feeding, epilepsy management etc.), via Workshop/Clusters provided by the Specialist Teaching Service, as well as free e-learning such as that available via Nasen, PDNet etc.

The Inclusion Fund is not available for building adaptations associated with the child’s admission into an early years setting. Providers who are not or cease to be eligible to receive 2/3/4 YO EEF from the local authority cannot access the Inclusion Fund.