UPDATE ON FREE CHILDCARE PLACES FOR BRIGG FAMILIES

Coun Rob Waltham, of Brigg, who is a member of the cabinet overseeing North Lincolnshire Council.

Further information was issued today by North Lincolnshire Council about free childcare for two-year-olds - first mentioned by Brigg Blog at the beginning of this week after we spotted a poster in the town centre alerting townsfolk to the opportunities available.

THE COUNCIL SAYS....

The Government funding that provides free childcare places for two-year-olds is being launched in North Lincolnshire at an information event on Wednesday 14 August at Henderson Avenue Children’s Centre in Scunthorpe, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
It will be available from September 2013 for early years education and around 20 per cent of two-year-olds in North Lincolnshire will be able to access it, however this will be extended further in 2014 to 40 per cent.
To find out more about the funding available go along to the information event and see if your child is eligible.
There will be staff on hand to help with completing the application forms. Make sure you bring your National Insurance number with you to complete the form and check your eligibility.
You can also learn more about different activities at the children’s centres and get information about childcare providers.
For more information about the information event and others being held throughout North Lincolnshire call 01724 296489. Children become eligible for the funding the school term after their second birthday. If they are eligible, each child will be entitled to 15 hours free childcare each week during school term time. 
To qualify from September 2013, families must meet the eligibility criteria. The criteria will be extended in 2014 to support more families.
For more information about the eligibility criteria and the funding, visit the early years pages on the council’s website, www.northlincs.gov.uk/eef or call the Family Information Service on 01724 296629.

Coun Rob Waltham (Brigg and Wolds), Cabinet Member for People, said: “Extending the early education funding to two-year-olds is fantastic as it means children will be able to receive high quality support from an earlier age – giving them the best start in life.  It is an excellent opportunity for children to learn while having fun and making friends in high quality early years settings. It will provide both educational and social benefits. The childcare will be provided in settings that have been rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Oftsed. This will ensure that children in North Lincolnshire receive the best childcare possible.”

There will be more information sessions on:
• Thursday 15 August from 9.30am to 11.30am at Brigg Children’s Centre, on the corner of Grammar School Road and Colton Street. 
• Friday 16 August from 9.30am to 11.30am at West Street Children’s Centre, Scunthorpe.
• Monday 19 August from 1pm to 3pm at Ashby Children’s Centre
• Tuesday 20 August from 10am to 12pm at Barton Children’s Centre
• Wednesday 21 August from 10am to 12pm at Epworth Children’s Centre
• Wednesday 21 August from 1.30pm to 3pm at Keadby Children’s Centre

Nearly 400 children in North Lincolnshire already have benefited as part of a pilot initiative in a number of childcare settings.