The SEN Childcare Crisis:

How the UK’s ‘free childcare’ expansion is colliding with the reality of Special Educational Needs (SEN) funding.

SEN childcare in the UK is facing a crucial shortfall, with rising demand and funding rates that fall far below the true cost of provision

The government’s expansion of funded childcare hours is meant to make life easier for working parents. But for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), this expansion is clashing with a long-standing crisis in funding and resources — leaving many families and providers struggling.

Key Rollout Dates

  • April 2024: 15 funded hours for 2-year-olds of working parents.

  • September 2024: 15 funded hours for children aged 9–23 months of working parents.

  • September 2025: Up to 30 funded hours for children aged 9 months–4 years of working parents.

In Short

  • Funded childcare hours are being rolled out for younger children.

  • The hourly rate nurseries, preschools and childminders receive is lower than the actual cost of care — and even more so for children with SEND.

  • Specialist staff, training, and one-to-one support are underfunded.

  • Families may experience reduced hours, additional charges, or a lack of available places for funded children with SEND.

Impact on Families

For parents of children with SEND, the expansion of ‘free’ childcare often comes with challenges:

  • Some providers limit the number of funded SEND places because they can’t afford the extra staffing.

  • Delays in securing Inclusion Funding or Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) mean support isn’t in place when children start.

  • Families may need to top up fees to cover the true cost of care.

  • Parents can face long waiting lists for specialist settings.

Why This Hits SEN Families Hard

  • Funding Gap: The government’s base funding rate doesn’t match the higher costs of SEN provision.
  • Workforce Shortages: Many providers struggle to recruit and retain trained SEN staff.
  • Rising Need: More children are being identified with developmental or additional needs earlier.
  • No Ring-Fencing: Early years SEND budgets are shared with older children, meaning less dedicated support for preschool-aged children.

Things Need To Change

✓ Increase the base funding rate to match real costs, including higher staffing ratios for SEND.

✓ Ring-fence budgets for early years SEND provision.

✓ Improve pay, training, and retention for the early years workforce.

✓ Speed up the process for funding and assessments so children receive support when they need

What Can Parents Do?

  • Apply for your childcare funding code as early as possible.

  • Be honest with your chosen provider about any additional needs your child has, ask them what SEND provision they offer and enquire about any waiting lists.

  • Keep written reports from health visitors, therapists, or other professionals to support funding applications.

  • Explore additional support such as EHCPs and local Inclusion Funding schemes.

  • Ask whether there is anything you can do to support access to adequate funding to support your child when in the setting.

For Childcare Providers

  • Calculate your true hourly costs, including specialist staffing and resources.

  • Stay informed about your local authority’s Inclusion Fund and EHCP process.

  • Be transparent with parents about any additional charges or capacity limits for funded places.

  • Build strong links with local SEND services to improve access to training and resources.

The Bottom Line

The free childcare expansion has the potential to help thousands of families — but without proper funding for children with SEND, it risks deepening existing inequalities. Parents, providers, and policymakers must work together to ensure that every child, regardless of need, has access to the support they deserve.