Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the provision of nursery care for children with disabilities.

Under the Childcare Act 2006, it is the duty of all local authorities to work together (with parents and providers) to assess and ensure that there is sufficient childcare available locally to meet the needs of families and children in their area, including for those with children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEN).

The Early Years Foundation Stage framework promotes equality of opportunity. Relevant early years providers must have regard to the SEN Code of Practice. Maintained nursery schools must identify a member of staff to act as special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) and other providers (in group provision) are expected to identify a SENCO.

The new 0-25 SEN Code of Practice places great emphasis on the importance of early identification of needs to ensure young people with SEN get the early support they need to make a successful transition into primary school and beyond. All early years providers must have arrangements in place to identify and support children with SEN or disabilities.