Early Years and Childcare for children with SEND

Who can look after my child?

Newcastle’s childcare providers continue to provide a service for children with additional needs. Many childcare providers have indicated that they have experience or training in looking after children with additional needs.

Choosing a childcare provider

It is usually best to discuss your child’s particular needs with the setting or childminder so that they can decide whether they are able to meet those needs. Then you can decide if you are happy with the way in which those needs will be met.

The Admissions and Information Service provide a brokerage services to families of children with additional needs and disabilities. If you are unable to find childcare that meets your needs and you have child with an additional need or disability, you can contact the service and we will help with the search. In the event of childcare not being found, this information will be fed back into the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment.

Additional funding and support

There is additional needs funding / support available to help children aged 2, 3 and 4 years to access 15 hours per week of early education. This would be in pre-school playgroups, day nurseries and nursery schools and classes. Each of these settings has a person responsible for co-ordinating provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (known as the SENCO) and they will be familiar with the application process.

Council Early Years Services

SEND Outreach Early Years Team

All requests for advice and support in relation to children aged 0 to 5y are made through the Newcastle SEND Advice and Support Allocation Panel (SEND ASAP). Requests can be made for help with children experiencing a wide range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

For a list of Sensory services that also support small children please see the SEND Sensory Service.

Childcare for children with SEND

To find out more information please see here: Access to childcare for children with special educational needs and disabilities | Newcastle City Council.

Early Years Team

To find out more information please see here: Childcare and early years | Newcastle City Council.

Fostering and Adoption

Here are links to Newcastle City Councils fostering page and support resources:

• Fostering | Fostering and Adoption. (newcastle.gov.uk)
• Resources | Fostering and Adoption. (newcastle.gov.uk)

For adoption please see this website for the North of the Tyne Combined Authority: Adopt North East.

All registered early years and childcare setting have a duty to follow the SEND Code of Practice. This gives guidance on the special educational needs and disability system for children and young people from 0-25. This means that children who need additional support, can access childcare in the same way as any other child. Our settings work with parents/carers, support services and departments within the local authority, to ensure that they are able to meet the needs of all children and support them to reach their potential. If you would like to talk to someone about childcare for a child with special educational needs please call 0191 277 4670.