Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the role of early years settings is in helping to identify and support the needs of SEND children.

The government recognises the important role the early years sector plays in early intervention to ensure the right support is put in place for children as soon as possible

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the standards and requirements that all early years providers must follow. It stipulates that providers must have arrangements in place to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and that all providers who are funded by the local authority to deliver early education places must have regard for the SEND code of practice.

On 7 July, we published our commitment to giving every child the best start in life. This means a stronger focus on early identification, inclusive access to early years education, and tailored family support.

We have already invested in the Early Language Support for Every Child programme, as well as the Nuffield Early Language Intervention, supporting children in the early years with their speech and language.

We are looking at wider SEND reforms and interventions to give children and young people the opportunities they need to achieve and thrive.