Education Minister has today announced that the
Pre-school Inclusion Fund for 2025/26 will be expanded to include
all Department of Education funded pre-school settings.
said: “I am
delighted to confirm the expansion of the Pre-school Inclusion
Fund for 2025/26, as part of my ongoing commitment to delivering
on SEN Reform. This expansion will see an investment of
£4.5million to help ensure our services, staff and systems are
equipped and resourced to deliver effectively for the growing
number of children requiring additional support to
thrive.
“Since launching the pilot Fund in November 2024, 213
pre-school settings have received support to meet the needs of
children undergoing statutory assessment of their educational
needs."
He continued: “Following a review of the eligibility
process and administration of the Fund and taking account of the
lessons learned from the first year of the pilot, I have agreed a
revised approach that will enable all 670 DE funded pre-school
education providers to access support.
“This recognises the increasing number of children
presenting with additional needs in the early years and ensures
equity right across the pre-school sector.”
Eligible settings can use the funding flexibly to suit the needs
of their pupils with SEN. This may be to buy in additional staff
time, access Allied Health Professional services, such as speech
and language therapy, or procure specialist equipment and
resources.
The Minister concluded: “The pilot Fund successfully
enabled pre-schools to meet the diverse needs of children in
their classes more effectively, with many welcoming the
additional resources and enhanced flexibility tailored to meet
their individual needs. I look forward to seeing more pre-school
settings benefit from the expansion of this Fund in the year
ahead.”
The Pre-school Inclusion Fund is an investment of £4.5million
which formed part of a £55million package of measures funded by
the Executive to support early learning and childcare in 2025/26.
Eligible pre-school settings will receive a letter of offer in
the coming days.
Notes to editors:
1. The funding allocation will be available to all 670 DE funded
pre-school settings. Following a review of the Fund, a more
equitable and streamlined approach will be adopted in 2025/26,
providing settings with a standardised amount of £5,300 per
full‑time class and £3,200 per part‑time class.
2. Eligible pre-school settings will receive a letter of offer in
the coming days, with funding allocated to all settings that
return a completed Form of Acceptance shortly thereafter.
