EHC plan
An education, health and care plan: a legal document from the council setting out a child's special educational needs and the support they must get
By The Toddly editorial team · Last updated 11 November 2026
An EHC plan follows a needs assessment by the council, which parents or the nursery can request. It describes the child’s needs, the outcomes they are working towards and the education, health and care provision they must receive, and it can name a setting. In the early years, a child with an EHC plan can also get 15 funded hours from age 2, whatever the family’s income. Plans are reviewed at least once a year. Your nursery’s SENCO and your council’s SEND information service can help you through the process.