Disability access fund
The disability access fund (DAF) is funding for early years providers to support children with disabilities or special educational needs.
It aids access to early years places by supporting providers to make reasonable adjustments to their settings.
Early years settings are encouraged to use this funding to make reasonable adjustments and should agree with you on the best use of it.
They can use it to improve your child's education and enjoyment. For example, the funding can be invested in specialist resources, professional development for staff to support individual needs, or physical adaptations to improve accessibility.
Children aged 9 months to 4 years will be eligible for the DAF if they:
- receive child disability living allowance (DLA), and
- access the funded entitlement at the early years provider
Children aged 4 years in primary and infant school reception classes are not eligible for the DAF.
Providers taking children aged 9 months to 4 years who are eligible for the DAF will be entitled to a one-off payment of £975 per financial year. The fund is not based on an hourly rate and is an additional entitlement.
Your child does not need to take up the full 570 hours of early education to be entitled to receive the DAF.
If your child attends more than one childcare setting, only one provider can claim the DAF. You should choose which provider this is.
For more information about how to claim DAF, contact your early years provider or email earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk.
Page last updated: 23 March 2026
