Adoption Support Passport Menu
Early Years Services
Free early learning
From the term after their second birthday children adopted from local authority care in England and Wales are entitled to 15 hours a week of free early learning and childcare for 38 weeks a year (or 570 hours if they attend all year round). This is also called the early years free entitlement (EYFE). The childcare provider must be on the Ofsted early years register.
Childcare providers who offer EYFE include day nurseries, nursery schools, child minders, pre-schools and play groups, and nursery classes in maintained schools and private schools (although not all of these take children from the age of two).
To get your child's EYFE you should contact the Family Information Service (FIS) online at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/twos or by telephone on 01273 293545. You will need to provide a copy of your child's adoption certificate and will then be sent a letter confirming that your child is entitled to EYFE. FIS can also advise you about the different childcare options and help you find a place for your child.
You can contact FIS to confirm your child's eligibility for EYFE from the beginning of the term in which your child turns two. So if your child is two on 31st December you can contact FIS from 1st September, and start your child's EYFE from the beginning of January. At first, some parents choose to have less than 15 hours a week of EYFE and build up their child's attendance gradually. You can also delay your child starting until they are a bit older, should you prefer to do this.
Early Years Pupil Premium
From April 1st 2015 childcare providers receive early years pupil premium (EYPP) of £300 a year for adopted children from the term after the child's third birthday. The EYPP is to support early years providers to offer high quality provision and will be used to meet the individual needs of children eligible for EYPP. You may talk to your child's early years setting about how the EYPP for your child is being spent. Further information about EYPP can be found at http://www.adoptionuk.org/education/early-years-pupil-premium.
The Family Information Service
The Family Information Service has produced a very comprehensive Family Services Directory which provides detailed information about general services for children and families within Brighton and Hove.
Contact: The Family Information Service
Phone: 01273 293545
Email: familyinfo@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Children's Centres and Health Visiting
Children's Centres in Brighton & Hove aim to improve outcomes for young children and their families and reduce inequalities. They bring together council and health visiting services. All centres provide baby groups, healthy child clinics and parenting groups. Some services are open access and others by referral including home visiting. The larger children's centres have nurseries providing high quality early education and childcare.
Health visitors deliver the Healthy child Programme which aims to ensure that every child has a healthy start in life and includes advice and development reviews. When a child under 5 is adopted their health visitor will offer support including home visits to help the new parents develop a secure attachment with their child and to support their child's normal development.
More information about our Children's Centres can be found at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/childrenscentres
Special Educational Needs
Brighton & Hove City Council, health services and all partners are committed to working together to support the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disability and their families.
If you think your child may have special educational needs you can ask your local authority to assess these needs. All information about how to access SEN services for pre-school children can be found at: Brighton and Hove's Local Offer.
This provides clear and accessible information about provision that Brighton and Hove expects to be locally available for our children and young people from birth to 25 who have special educational needs and/or a disability.
You may want some independent help and advice in thinking through the range of issues facing you and your child as you try to ensure that you have the best support available.
AMAZE
Amaze is a Brighton and Hove charity that provides information, advice and support to parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This can also include children and young people with mental health issues and attachment difficulties. Amongst other support, this includes providing the local Information, Advice and Support service, helping parents get the right support for their child in pre-school, school and further education. Find out more by phoning the Amaze helpline on 01273 772289, or visit the website at www.amazebrighton.org.uk