Disability Access Fund (DAF)
Disability Access Fund (DAF) provides funding to support children with disabilities and/or special educational needs. The DAF aids access to early years places by, for example, supporting providers in making reasonable adjustments to their provision.
In Kent, the DAF is available to eligible children aged two, three and four years old.
DAF for two-year-old children
Providers who offer Free Early Education places for two-year-olds can now apply to claim DAF to support eligible children.
Two-year-old children may be eligible for DAF if they meet the following criteria:
- The child is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and
- The child receives Free Early Education places for 2-year-olds.
Eligible children can start claiming after they turn two, depending on when their birthday is:
Child's 2nd birthday | When they can claim from |
1 January to 31 March | the beginning of term on or after 1 April |
1 April to 31 August | the beginning of term on or after 1 September |
1 September to 31 December | the beginning of term on or after 1 January |
DAF for three and four-year-old children
Three and four-year old children may be eligible for the DAF if they meet the following criteria:
- The child is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and
- The child receives universal or extended free early education and childcare entitlement.
Payment of DAF
DAF is payable as a lump sum once per year for each eligible child and each eligible year.
Funding is paid at the fixed annual rate of £828 per eligible child from 1 April 2023.
If a child who is eligible for DAF is splitting their universal hours across two or more providers, the parent must nominate one of the settings to receive the DAF funding as this cannot be split.
How to apply
Go to Free Early Education, Claiming EYPP and DAF and follow the clear procedure set out by Management Information.
If you have queries email miearlyyears@kent.gov.uk or contact 03000 42 16 12 and ask for Victoria Bentley.
If a child in local authority care is attending a setting in a different local authority, it is the responsibility of the local authority in which the setting is based to fund the DAF.
Guidance and useful links
- Guidance for Early Years and Childcare Providers in Kent on the Disability Access Fund (DAF) (PDF, 3.3 MB) is a useful guidance document about making reasonable adjustments and purchasing or loaning resources, updated September 2022.
- Disability Access Fund: All you need to know - recorded webinar is a 30 minute webinars for all early years practitioners including managers, deputies, childminders and other childcare professionals. All Kent settings can now access our KCC funded training and products for free without using a code. Please contact Threadsofsuccess@theeducationpeople.org if you have any problems with your order.
- Easy Read Guide to DAF (DOCX, 190.0 KB) (updated July 2023) which can be shared with parents.
- Introduction to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) videos available on Contact website. Contact is a charity supporting families with disabled children.
Emporium and DAF
If you have a child, or children, who are accessing DAF funding, Emporium can offer you a complimentary silver membership, allowing you access to high quality resources that can support you to meet their needs and interests. Visit Emporium to find out more.
Contact us
Contact Management Information for further information about the DAF scheme in Kent by email at miearlyyears@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 42 16 12 and ask for Victoria Bentley or another member of the team will be able to help you if Victoria is unavailable.