Free entitlement for 2 year olds
The Government has announced today that 140,000 2 year olds will be entitled to free early education places from September 2013. In an national extension to the pilot scheme that has been in operation in some counties including Northamptonshire, the scheme is being extended to allow disadvantaged 2 year olds to access 15 hours a week of flexible free 'early education'. In Northamptonshire there are 1,700 families with a child aged 2 who are likely to be eligible because they are on a low income.
NCA welcome the opportunity for more childminders to get involved - we are currently working with YMCA Training to enable 37 childminders to achieve a Level 3 qualification and join our network of high quality childminders able to offer the free entitlement.
The Government has launched a consultation today on proposed changes to the free entitlement eligibility and a slimming down of the Code of Practice so please have a look and feed back any comments - the consultation closes on 3rd February.
| Number of families with a child aged two, with an income of £16,190 or less and receiving Child Tax Credit, April 2011. |
