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Enter your postcode on the GOV.UK website to find your local authority, then visit their early years section to learn more about the support available in your area.
Information & advice
SEN Support in Early Years
For children aged 0 to 5 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), early support and intervention can be life-changing.
In this guide, we explore early years provision and how to support your child’s educational journey.
What is SEN support in early years?
Early years support for children with SEND involves identifying and meeting the needs of children from birth to age five, giving them the best possible start in life. Early recognition of these needs is crucial, as timely intervention can provide children with opportunities to build essential skills and reach their full potential.
Early years settings includes childminders, nurseries, pre-schools, and children’s centres.
Early signs to look out for
You know your child best. If something feels different or concerning, it’s okay to seek support and guidance. Here are some early signs that may indicate a child has SEND:
- Delayed speech or language
- Struggles with attention, listening or following instructions
- Difficulty playing or interacting with others
- Sensory sensitivities (to sound, textures, lights) to food and clothes
- Repetitive behaviours or routines
- Delayed sitting, crawling, or walking
- Unusual responses to change or transition
- Lack of eye contact
- Medical adjustments that might be needed
- Physical adjustments that need to be made
Steps to take if you’re concerned
If you’re concerned about your child’s development at the early years setting, here are some steps you can take:
1. Talk to your child’s key person or setting lead and share your concerns.
2. Speak to the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator).
3. Request a meeting to discuss the support options available. Ask how your child is being supported, and what observations have been made, remember to keep a record of what is discussed. If you need help organising a meeting, take a look at our School Meetings guide.
4. The setting should then begin the SEN support process. This should follow the graduated approach: assess, plan, do, and review (explained more below).
5. Access inclusion support with your local authority.
6. Follow the local health route for referral to a GP or paediatrician.
What is the EYFS framework?
All early years providers must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, which sets the standard for the care, learning, and development of children from birth to age five. It ensures every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive in a safe, nurturing environment.
The SEND Code of Practice is part of this framework and ensures that children with SEND receive the right care, learning strategies and support based on their individual needs.
Assessing a child’s progress
As part of the EYFS, your child’s setting will regularly observe and assess their development to build a picture of their progress. One important part of this is the EYFS Profile, which is completed during the final term of the year when your child turns five.
The EYFS Profile gives parents, practitioners, and teachers a well-rounded understanding of your child’s knowledge, abilities, and how they learn. For children with SEND, it is especially valuable, as it helps identify any additional support that may be needed and can inform planning for future learning.
Role of SENCO in early years
One of the key roles in your child’s early years setting is the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). All early years settings are required to have a SENCO. The SENCO is responsible for overseeing the support provided to children with SEND. They are there to help you, as a parent or carer, understand the best ways to support your child and ensure they receive the right support.
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, the SENCO is an excellent person to speak to about next steps and the support available.
The role of a SENCO involves:
- Making sure all staff understand their responsibilities when it comes to supporting children with SEND.
- Helping to identify any additional needs early and putting the right support in place.
- Advising and supporting staff to make sure children receive inclusive, tailored support, adaptions or differentiated learning
- Working closely with parents and carers – your views and experiences are really important and help shape the support your child receives.
- Communicating with professionals outside the setting (like health visitors or specialists) to make sure everyone is working together to support your child.
The graduated approach
If your child is not developing or progressing as expected, the early years setting should follow the graduated approach. This is a four-part cycle designed to help your child make progress by regularly reviewing what’s working and adjusting support as needed.
The cycle includes:
Assess – The setting observes your child closely to understand their strengths and the areas where they may need help.
Plan – Together with you, the SENCO and key staff will agree on the outcomes you want to work towards and the support needed to help achieve them.
Do – The agreed support is put in place and carried out by staff who know your child well.
Review – Progress is reviewed regularly with you, and changes are made if something isn’t working.
This process isn’t one-off, it’s ongoing. Your child’s needs may change over time, and support should be flexible and responsive.
What support looks like will depend on your child. It might involve more one-to-one time, help during certain activities, or changes to the environment to make it calmer and more accessible. Some children may benefit from visual aids or quiet spaces, while others may use communication tools like picture exchange systems or Makaton.
You should always be involved. Your views matter, and so do your child’s. Even at a young age, their preferences and behaviours can help shape the support they receive.
How to access further support
If your child needs more support than the setting can provide on its own, there are further steps you can take.
You can ask the setting or your GP to refer your child for specialist assessments. This might include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, or a paediatric assessment to understand more about your child’s development.
You can also request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment. This is the first step toward getting an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) – a legal document that sets out the additional support your child must receive.
Importantly, you don’t need to wait for the nursery or setting to make this request. As a parent, you have the right to apply for an EHC needs assessment.
Transitioning to primary school
Moving from an early years setting to primary school is a big milestone, and if your child has SEND, it’s completely normal to feel a little anxious about how they’ll adjust. But with the right planning and support, this transition can be a positive experience for both you and your child.
Here’s some tips to help the move go smoothly:
Start planning early
Begin discussions with your child’s current setting about their needs and what’s worked well for them so far. The sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to prepare.
Share information with the new school
Make sure the new school is aware of your child’s strengths, needs, and any support that’s already in place. Provide copies of support plans, reports, or professional assessments. Or for the new placement to visit your child in their current setting.
Involve both SENCOs
Ask the SENCO from your child’s early years setting to liaise with the SENCO at the new school, to help keep continuity and hopefully avoid starting again with support.
Prepare your child for the change
Visit the new school together, meet key staff, explore the classroom and playground, and look at photos or videos at home to build familiarity and reduce anxiety.
For more tips on helping you prepare your child for the move to primary school, download our helpful guide.
How we can help
As a parent or carer, there are many avenues of support for your child. You are not alone; there are support networks, professionals, and resources available to guide you every step of the way.
With the right support in place, you can feel more confident in making decisions and advocating for what your child needs to thrive.
Early years education options
If you’re looking for early years education for your child, whether it’s a nursery, playgroup, or home-based portage learning, we can help you explore and find the right option for you and your family.
Discover our early years learning and development services across the UK.
“The fantastic start Chloe got at the Kids Nursery, with such knowledgeable and skilled staff, has set her up so well for school.”
SENDIAS services
We provide SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support) services in several regional areas. Our support is free, impartial, and confidential, offering guidance to families of children and young people with SEND.
We’re here to help you understand your rights, navigate the SEND system, and support you through important decisions about education, health, and care.
Useful links
Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework
Learn about the requirements schools and childcare providers need to meet for children’s early learning, development and care (birth to 5 years).
Early years funding & entitlements
Find out more about early years funding and entitlements on the GOV.UK website.
EHCP process
Find out more about the EHCP process; requesting an EHC assessment, creating an EHC plan and disagreeing with a decision.
Free online courses for parents of 0-5s
Family Corner offers free online sessions and courses, led by early years experts, to help you support your child’s development.