Choosing an education provider

You can apply for an early years setting at any time for a child without an EHC plan.

• SEND Childcare and Early Years Buckinghamshire - a directory of childcare providers including childminders and settings for children under the age of 5
• Find activities and organisations near you - information about what each provider offers for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• Help to find SEND childcare - The Childcare Brokerage Service can help you find an early years setting such as a preschool, nursery or childminder
  • You can use this service until your child is 25 years old if they have special educational needs and disabilities
• Paying for early years childcare - including information about funded places to help with your childcare costs
• Support for children with SEND in Early Years settings - information about funding for providers for early years children with SEND including the Early Years Inclusion Fund and High Needs Funding

SENDIAS do not advise on early years admissions or admission appeals for children without EHC plans.

SENDIAS can offer advice if you feel that your child has been refused a place at an early years setting because of their disability. See That’s not fair – Disability discrimination for more information.

• School admissions - information about the law on school admissions for children without an EHC plan
• Buckinghamshire information about school admissions:
  • Education options and admissions for children with SEND
  • School appeals for children without EHC plans

SENDIAS do not advise on school admissions or school admission appeals for children without EHC plans. You could consult Citizens Advice Buckinghamshire.

SENDIAS can offer advice if you feel that your child has been refused a place at a school because of their disability. See That’s not fair – Disability discrimination for more information.

If you are choosing a school for your child and they do not have an EHC plan, there are certain dates to apply by.

• Reception and Primary Schools
  • You can apply online through Buckinghamshire Council’s website for starting school in reception or moving from infant to junior school.
• Secondary Schools
  • You can apply online through Buckinghamshire Councils website for secondary school places.
• Changing school during the academic year (in- year transfer)
  • If you are choosing a school to move to during the academic year, this is known as an ‘in-year transfer’. Find out how to apply on the Buckinghamshire Council website.

If you are looking for a further education provider, your young person can leave school on the last Friday in June if they will be 16 by the end of the summer holidays. This is when they are no longer of statutory school age. ​They must then do one of the following until they’re 18:​

• stay in full-time education, for example at a college or 6th form​
• start an apprenticeship or traineeship​
• spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training.

Most further education providers such as colleges and 6th forms hold open days to have a look around and see what courses they provide.

Secondary schools should arrange for independent careers advisers to discuss with young people in year 11 about options for when finishing school.

These resources may help too:

Careers Resources for SEND Students - Careers resources to help young people with SEND.

Bucks Skills Hub - resources and information to help young people to decide on next steps and think about the support they need.

Each further education provider will have their own application process and dates to apply by. Information can usually be found on the education providers own website.

College applications start from October / November in Year 11 and usually remain open until the end of the Spring term.

You can find detailed information in Post-16 education and training.