The Disability Access Fund (DAF) helps children with disabilities access their funded early education place. Childcare providers can receive a one‑off payment of £938 per year for each eligible child.
The funding is designed to help providers make reasonable adjustments or improve their provision so children with disabilities can access their funded hours. It can be used to support an individual child or to benefit all children at the setting.
Providers should make parents aware of DAF to help identify eligible children. The parent declaration form should be used to confirm eligibility.
Who is eligible for the Disability Access Fund?
Children may be eligible for the Disability Access Fund if:
- They receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- They are accessing one of the following funded entitlements:
- 15 hours for childcare aged 9 months to 2 years old (working parent entitlement)
- 15 hours for disadvantaged 2‑year‑olds (Think2)
- 15 hours universal entitlement for 3 and 4‑year-olds
Children do not need to take up all 570 funded hours to qualify.
Children who cannot receive Disability Access Fund
Disability Access Fund is not available for:
- Four year olds in a primary school reception class
- Some specialist school settings (as set out in the Schools and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2023)
How to apply
Providers must apply for DAF using the Early Years Provider Portal.
Applications must include:
- How the provider intends to use the funding
- A current Disability Living Allowance award letter (uploaded to the portal)
Without the award letter, the application will be refused.
Additional information
- Applications are usually reviewed within 5 working days.
- Applications approved before the 20th of the month will be paid no later than the 20th of the following month.
- Providers in Staffordshire can apply for children who live outside the county but attend their setting.
- If a child attends more than one setting, parents must nominate one provider to receive the DAF payment. Providers should work with parents to agree how the funding will be used.
Using the funding
The Disability Access Fund should be used to support accessibility and inclusion within the setting. This may include:
- Making reasonable adjustments for the eligible child
- Improving the environment or resources for wider benefit
Providers should discuss and agree how the funding will be spent with the child's parent or carer.