To ask the Minister of Health (i) for his assessment of the effectiveness of the Fair Play Grant Scheme as a reliable mechanism to support childcare providers meeting the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities; and (ii) whether any alternative funding mechanisms are under consideration.

(i) for his assessment of the effectiveness of the Fair Play Grant Scheme as a reliable mechanism to support childcare providers meeting the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities;

The Department of Health, through the Childcare Partnership, facilitates an annual grant scheme to ensure children with additional needs are included in early years services, known as Fair Play.

The funding provides support measures with a focus on the individual needs of children who are accessing quality play and learning experiences in registered community, voluntary and private provision throughout the academic year. These support measure can and do include additional staff capacity.

The Childcare Partnership also provides free training for early years practitioners in a range of subjects to do with additional needs in tandem with this financial support.

In the 2024/25 financial year, the support to non-statutory early years providers by the Department of Health through the Fair Play Grant Scheme has been £425k.

We believe the Fair Play Grant Scheme is reliable in that it is available recurrently each year.

(ii) the forthcoming inter-departmental Early Learning and Childcare Strategy added additional resources to extend the reach of the Fair Play Grant Scheme in 2024/25 bringing the fund to a total of £675k in this financial year.

This combined fund has been released to 83 early years and childcare providers benefitting 338 children.