3-4 years: nursery

• Access to 15 government-funded early learning and childcare hours for all children, or 30 hours for eligible working families.

• A qualified SENCo based in the setting, providing advice, support, and early identification for children with additional needs.

• Universal Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) monitoring, ensuring all children’s learning and development are regularly checked and supported.

• Best Start Family Hub support for school readiness, offering guidance and sessions to help children and parents prepare for starting school.

• Support with childhood immunisations, including information and signposting to local health services.

NO: Continue to access universal Health Visiting and Early Help Family Hub services

YES: Access to targeted services listed below:

• SEN (Special Educational Needs) support using graduated APDR cycles (Assess, Plan, Do, Review) to ensure support is tailored, reviewed regularly, and responsive to each child’s needs.

• In‑setting support from specialists such as Speech and Language Therapy (SALT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Physiotherapy, helping children access support in a familiar environment.

• Guidance around behaviour and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) to support children’s wellbeing and positive development.

• Educational Psychologist (EP) advice, offering professional insight to help understand and plan for children’s learning and developmental needs.

• Support to access Inclusion Funding (SENIF) where appropriate, to provide additional resources or support in the setting.

• Parent training and Best Start Family Hub programmes, offering practical advice, workshops, and support for families at home and in the community.

If difficulties are ongoing, your child could access specialist services such as:

• Access to High Needs Funding, where eligibility criteria are met, to provide more intensive support for children with complex needs.

• Specialist nursery placements for children who may benefit from a more tailored or supportive early years environment.

• Support with the ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) diagnostic pathway, including guidance and liaison with health professionals where appropriate.

• Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment, if the local authority threshold is met, to explore longer‑term statutory support.

• Multi‑agency planning, bringing together education, health, and other professionals to ensure coordinated and consistent support around the child and family.

4-5 years: reception