SEND and Inclusion

Early Years Inclusion Fund (EYIF) is used to support all funded 2, 3- and 4-year olds with additional needs who need additional adult support through enhanced staffing levels to meet their needs within a mainstream setting.

The EYIF does not cover children as they start their Reception year. On transition to school, any additional funding to support staffing for children with SEND is either linked to the EHCP process or provided via the school’s notional SEN budget via the first £6000.

Early Years Transition Funding (EYTF)

EYTF can now be applied for as a continuation of EYIF into the first term of a child’s Reception Year in order to access additional support to those children who may be at risk of poor outcomes at transition into Reception Class due to the fact that an EHCP is in process but not yet finalised.

This has the intended outcome of eliminating the need for a child to be offered a reduced timetable and reducing the risk of poor outcomes.

Which children are eligible for EYTF?

• Children who are in the process of EHCP Needs Assessment and are in receipt of Levels 3 or 4 Inclusion Funding during the year 2024/25
• Children for whom a detailed transition plan is in place, outlining how the additional funding will be used to support transition

How long will the funding be for?

EYTF will be paid for the first term of 2025/26. The sole purpose of the funding is to support transition so it will not be paid beyond 1st Jan 2026.

How much additional funding will the school receive to support the child?

EYTF will be paid at the same level as the child’s current EYIF.

• If the child is on Level 3 EYIF there will be a payment of £1,100
• If the child is on Level 4 EYIF there will be a payment of £1,650

How do we apply for EYTF?

Schools can apply for funding from 4th July 2025 until the 3rd October 2025. Unfortunately, applications received after this period will not be accepted. Schools will need to outline in the child’s transition plan how this would be spent and the intended outcomes of the funding.

Application to include:

• EYTF Consent form (see appendix 1)
• Recently reviewed Early Help Assessment and Action Plan
• Transition plan developed in partnership with current setting and parents (for suggested template see appendix 2)

What happens after we apply for EYTF?

If all of the above documents are submitted and the child meets the eligibility criteria, you will receive a funding agreement and the allocated amount of funding will be forwarded to you.

If you have any queries or would like any further guidance with this process, please contact Start Well SEND by email: startwellSEND@bolton.gov.uk or telephone: 01204 338149.

Planning for Transition to School

For additional information, support and links to resources around transition to school, please refer to the Planning for Transition to School webpages: Transition and Observation, Assessment and Planning – Bolton Start Well.