Early Years

This information is about the support that early years providers and maintained nurseries within schools must and should provide for children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.

All providers of early years education, funded by the Local Authority, are required to have regard to the SEND Code of Practice. They have duties under the Equality Act 2010 not to discriminate against disabled children, and they must follow the safeguarding, welfare, learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

It is important that settings listen to parents’ concerns and to those raised by children themselves.

The SEND Code of Practice says:

All early years children are entitled to an education that enables them to:

  • achieve their best possible education and other outcomes
  • become confident young children with growing ability to communicate their own views and be ready to make the transitions into compulsory education.

All early years educational providers, including pre-school playgroups, private day nurseries, childminders and maintained nurseries in school, have a duty to ensure children with special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities have their needs met.

Notts special educational needs and disabilities SEND Local Offer. Information services and support all in one place.

SEND Local Offer

The Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council SEND Local Offers are a great resource for finding events, support and activities in your area.

City Council County Council