Help for more Devon families with young children

More families with young children in Devon are now eligible for a free early learning and childcare place.

This follows recent Government legislation that makes early years funding an entitlement to lower income families with a two-year-old.

To qualify a parent/carer must be receiving one of several eligible benefits, which include income support, job seekers allowance and some with child tax credit. Devon’s Children in Care are also eligible.

Children are eligible from the start of the term after their second birthday, for example a child born between September 1 and December 31 will be offered a place from January 1 following their second birthday.

A 2gether place can provide up to 15 hours of free Early Learning and Childcare per week.

The childcare places can be taken with a variety of registered childcare providers.

Cabinet member for children, schools and skills, Cllr Will Mumford said: “This is good news and an initiative I am happy to support. Research has shown that high quality early years provision improves the outcome for these most vulnerable children and can increase the take-up of free entitlement for three and four year olds. I would encourage parents and carers to get in touch with us for help and information about how to apply.”

For more information or to apply online visit www.devon.gov.uk/disc-2gether or call Devon County Council on 0845 155 1019.