Skip to content

Choosing childcare for a disabled child

Choosing childcare - general information and advice

When it comes to choosing childcare and early education for a child with additional needs or a disability, a lot of the considerations are the same as for any other child.

You can find all the general information and advice on choosing childcare that you need by visiting our Choosing childcare page.

Choosing childcare for a child with additional needs or a disability

However, if your child does have additional needs or a disability, there are a few extra things you may need to consider such as a child's medical needs or a childcare provider who has had specialist training.

You will need to think about whether your child carer will need specialist training or equipment. Often carers need specific training to give medication.

If you have been shown how to give medication to your child by your doctor, nurse or health visitor, you can ask the same person to give this training to your child's new carer.

Finding childcare providers with special needs experience

The Family Information Service:

The Family Information Service (FIS) can provide you with details of childcare providers who have experience of particular special needs.

There are three ways in which you can find out what childcare is available in your area:

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Childcare Service:

The Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability Childcare Service has SEN Childcare Coordinators who work on behalf of children and young people with SEN from birth to 18 years of age.

They support the inclusion of children and young people with SEN and disabilities in early years and childcare settings. Their range of services include:

  • Providing a link between families and providers of childcare services
  • Assisting families on getting a childcare placement
  • Talking to relevant agencies to find out if an individual may need additional support in a childcare setting
  • Discussing and providing SEN and disability training opportunities for childcare staff

The service will accept referrals directly from the parents / carers of the child. When a parent / carer makes contact the SEN and Disability Childcare Service will:

  • Offer a home visit to gather information and identify childcare needs
  • Give advice on local and regional voluntary organisations
  • Work cooperatively with all services and agencies involved within the field of childcare

SEN and Disability Childcare Service - Contact details:

The service currently has three office locations:

North:

Lancaster House, Exhall Grange Campus, Easter Way, Coventry CV7 9HP.

Tel: 01926 418282

East:

Faraday Hall, Lower Hillmorton Road, Rugby CV21 3TU.

Tel: 01926 476928

Central and Southern:

Orion House, Athena Drive, Tachbrook Park, Warwick, CV34 6RQ.

Tel: 01926 413737