Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Accepted in Part
Increase Early Years Pupil Premium and widen eligibility for low-income children needing SEND support.
Recommendation
We recommend the Government increase the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) to match that in primary schools and widen the eligibility criteria so that more children from very low income families can access much needed extra support for any special educational needs. (Paragraph 183) 78 Support for childcare and the early years
Government Response Summary
The government is proposing to extend EYPP eligibility by age to all children from 9 months to 4 years old from April 2024, if they meet other criteria. However, it is not proposing to change other eligibility criteria or increase the premium to match primary schools.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
DfE recognises that it is important to provide additional funding, on top of the core hourly funding rate, to support those children from more disadvantaged backgrounds and children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We are proposing to extend eligibility for Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) and the Disability Access Fund (DAF) to all children accessing the entitlements from April 2024. However, we are not proposing to make any changes to any of the other eligibility criteria. On 21st July 2023, the Government launched a consultation on early years funding and the extension of the early education entitlements. As part of this consultation, we are proposing to extend eligibility for EYPP and the DAF to all children accessing the entitlements from April 2024 (i.e., aged 9 months up to 4 years old), if they meet the other eligibility criteria for this funding. We are also proposing that local authorities should have a special educational needs inclusion fund (SENIF) for children aged 9 months to 2-year-olds who are taking up the free entitlements, to ensure that all eligible children can access and benefit from the childcare entitlements. Widening the age criteria for EYPP and DAF, and encouraging local authorities to extend their SENIF, will ensure that more families can access much needed extra support, to deliver better outcomes for disadvantaged children and meet the needs of children with SEND.