Families are being encouraged to enrol their children for funded early learning in childcare as part of a major expansion in provision from August 2020.
From August, all 3 and 4-year-olds, and eligible of 2-year-olds, will benefit from up to 1,140 hours of childcare a year.
Parents/carers need to register at the provider of their choice [school nursery, private or voluntary nursery, childminder, or more than one provider] as long as the total number of hours doesn’t exceed the child’s entitlement.
Enrolment in Dumfries and Galloway is on:
Wednesday 26 February
Thursday 27 February
Parents/carers will have to visit their chosen provider and provide proof of the child’s:
• date of birth [birth certificate]
• home address [a recent council tax or utility bill]
Councillor Jeff Leaver, chair of the Education and Learning committee, said: “Our Council is committed to providing the best possible start in life for all our children. Early learning and childcare improves outcomes for children, contributes to health and wellbeing, supports parents into work, study or training, and makes a significant contribution towards closing the poverty-related attainment gap.”
Councillor Ros Surtees, vice chair, said: “ELC boosts children’s confidence and communication and provides opportunities for things such as playing with other children and outdoor learning. It can also provide opportunities for parents to get back into work, work more, study or train. And this is at no financial cost to the parents.”
https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/…/Funded-early-learning-and-child…
