Using Sports Premium Funding to Support SEN Learners

Movement is for everyone. For children in the EYFS, especially those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), physical development isn’t just about getting healthy, it’s about building strong skills for learning, fostering independence, and growing. 

Thanks to the government’s PE and Sport Premium funding, schools have a valuable opportunity to invest in inclusive, purposeful resources that help all children thrive—starting in the early years.

Why Physical Development Matters in EYFS

Physical development is a prime area in the EYFS framework, supporting everything from motor skills to emotional regulation. For SEN learners, it plays a vital role in:

• Sensory processing and self-regulation
  
• Gross and fine motor development
  
• Building confidence and communication
  

Many SEN learners face barriers to physical play—such as mobility challenges or sensory sensitivities. With the right approach, Sports Premium can enable practitioners to break down those barriers. Here are our top tips for utilising this funding to do just that!

1. Invest in Inclusive Equipment

Use funding to source open-ended, accessible equipment that meets the needs of varied learners. If your children need lots of sensory seeking opportunities, gross motor resources are great for this - equally, getting low level, multi-use apparatus can help everyone get involved in play. Here are some ideas:

• Low-level climbing frames, ramps, and platforms
  
• Loose parts like tyres, planks, and crates for flexible, child-led play
• Obstacle course sets to encourage children to co-construct their play
  

2. Create Movement Zones Indoors

Not all children thrive in busy outdoor spaces. Encompassing physical development resources in your indoor classroom is often overlooked - so consider:

• Balance equipment or stepping stones
  
• Sensory circuits with equipment like bean bags or mini-trampolines
  
• Calm corners that support proprioceptive and vestibular input - try out SEN Bean Bags to help set things up
  

3. Upskill Your Team

Empowered staff make the biggest difference. Use your funding for:

• CPD in adaptive PE and sensory integration
  
• Training from OTs or inclusive play specialists
  
• Developing knowledge around motor delays and how to support them

4. Make Active Play Part of the Everyday

Physical development should be embedded into daily routines. Consider:

• Outdoor zones with crawling, climbing, and balancing options like our Crawl Through Forest Fern or Teeter Totter Obstacle Course
  
• Construction and role play resources that naturally promote movement like our STEM Engineering Construction Set
  

Ready to Move?

Cosy Direct is here to help you make the most of your funding. From inclusive equipment to expert advice, we’re passionate about helping all children move with confidence!

Explore our Inclusive Sports Premium Range
Need help choosing the right resources? Chat to our team today!