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Childcare and early years

Information for parents and carers who are looking for childcare and early years education services in Hampshire

SfYC Portage Support

Portage is a home visiting educational service for families with children from nine months old to statutory school age, who have additional needs and meet the Portage referral criteria

Concerns with your child's early development

Concerns with your child's early development and how to get support. This support may be referred to as special educational needs and disability (SEND) or additional needs.

Early Learning for 2-Year-Olds Funding

Guidance for Early Years Education and childcare providers on offering flexibility to parents with their free early years education entitlement

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) and Disability Access Fund (DAF)

These are two additional sources of funding that your provider could potentially claim to support your child.

Disability Access Fund

The Disability Access Fund (DAF) is money that childcare providers can use to support children with disabilities or special educational needs.

Support for special needs Support for families

Early Learning for 2-Year-Olds Funding – eligibility and how to apply

This scheme is for 2-year-olds where families meet the eligibility criteria to receive early years education from the funding period after their second birthday.

Safeguarding Early Years

Safeguarding advice for Early Years Education and childcare providers

Early Years Transition Service

The Early Years Transition Service is part of the Services for Young Children (SfYC) Inclusion team. The service will support children transitioning to reception year (Year R) at school that have been identified as having a need at SEN support level

Early Years Neurodivergent Support Service

This service will support pre-school children with an emerging or identified neurodivergent profile, with or without social, emotional, and mental health needs. Support will be offered in the Early Years Setting.

Early Years Inclusion training

Find training available for early years Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators and any other early years practitioners with an interest in inclusion

Working Families Entitlement

Eligibility, codes and appeals process

Early Years Education (EYE) Funding

Guidance for Early Years Education and childcare providers on claiming your setting's EYE funding

Hampshire Early Years Specialist Hub Provision (EY SEN Hub)

Hampshire funds Early Years Specialist Hub Provision for children under five who have significant and complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Becoming a registered childminder in Hampshire

Becoming a registered childminder in Hampshire and have a positive impact on the learning and development of young children

Childcare provider resources

Resources for Early Years Education and childcare providers

Financial support for children in Early Years Education

Eligible families are entitled to Early Years Education (EYE) funding based on the age of the child and eligibility criteria

Support for families Support for young people Support for special needs

Careers in childcare and early years

This is a vitally important sector which needs staff at all levels to provide the quality care and education that young and older children deserve.

Early Years education and childcare providers

Find resources to support Early Years Education and childcare providers in Hampshire

Information for professionals

Training

Find training courses available to childminders, early years and playwork practitioners working in or linked to childcare settings in Hampshire and registered with Ofsted

Autumn 2026 Early Years and Out of School Childcare, Designated Safeguarding Lead support meeting/webinar - online

Afternoon session: 1pm to 3pm

Autumn 2026 Early Years and Out of School Childcare, Designated Safeguarding Lead support meeting/webinar - online

Morning session: 9:30am to 11:30am

SENCo Support Groups

SENCo Support Groups for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators in Early Years Education and childcare settings

Autumn 2026 Early Years and Out of School Childcare, Designated Safeguarding Lead support meeting/webinar - online

Evening session: 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Childcare and Early Years Education

Types of childcare available, financial support options and information about Early Years Education (EYE)

Support for families