Skip to content

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, known in Kent as the Free for Two or 'FF2' scheme, 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 known in Kent as the Free for Two or 'FF2' scheme.

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.

Between September 2023 and March 2024, Early Years Providers will be entitled to an additional Early Years Supplementary Grant from KCC.

For each eligible child, an additional £30.92 will be provided. This will bring the DAF entitlement to £858.92 per eligible child. Eligibility and payment schedule of this additional funding will be in line with existing processes.

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
pink line

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 421612 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
pink line

Emporium and DAF
pink line

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 421612 and ask for Victoria Bentley or another member of the team will be able to help you if Victoria is unavailable.

Return to Equality and Inclusion landing page