A council is encouraging parents and carers with two-year-olds in Gedling borough to check if they qualify for free childcare places on offer.
Nottinghamshire County Council is working with families to let them know about the entitlement which provides children who are eligible for a free childcare place for up to 15 hours a week.
Around 73 per cent of children who have already qualified during the current term are receiving their provision with many registered for the latest stage of funding for the spring term and there is still time for people to find out more.
The County Council’s Early Childhood team are promoting the national initiative through a range of channels which will include writing to all families and individuals whose children are eligible for the funding and giving them a chance to find out more about different early years’ settings.
It is estimated that around 3,100 children in the county qualify for the free childcare provision for two-year-olds this academic year.
Councillor Liz Plant, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are reminding families and individuals to check the eligibility criteria to see if they qualify for this free childcare provision during this academic year.
“People might not realise that they do not have to take up the full 15 hours of childcare, and even a few hours a week in a nursery or early years setting can help give children a great start in their readiness for school in terms of enhancing their early social and education experiences in life.”
To find out if you are eligible, you can look online on the Nottinghamshire County Council website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/childcare or call 0300 500 8080
