More families are set to benefit from free childcare places for the over-twos with a plan to extend an Early Years Entitlement provision.
At a meeting on Wednesday (11th July). the Council’s Cabinet agreed to continue to expand the scheme further by September 2014, in line with national requirements, subject to the Council’s budget meeting in February 2013.
In September 2009 the Early Years Entitlement funding pilot for two-year-olds was launched across England. Bath and North East Somerset was provided with funding to support childcare for 50 of the most disadvantaged children (as identified on an economic basis) for 10 hours a week, 38 weeks a year.
The proposed increase in free childcare provision for children from age two in Bath and North East Somerset is as follows:
- 1st September 2012: 140 places at 15 hours per week (term time only).
- 1st September 2013: 300 places at 15 hours per week (term time only). Two-year-old funding becomes a statutory entitlement for those children who are eligible.
- 1st September 2014: 600 places at 15 hours per week (term time only).
Councillor Nathan Hartley (Lib-Dem, Peasedown), Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth and Deputy Leader of Council, said: “Expanding the Early Years Entitlement for families with two-year-old children will support the achievement of the Council’s objective of promoting independence and positive lives for everyone.
“The increased free childcare provision will help ensure that children can enjoy their childhood and the people most in need are supported to live full active lives, leading to reduced inequality between communities across Bath and North East Somerset.”
At last night’s meeting, the Cabinet also approved the use of a Section 106 payment of £102,717 (acquired as part of a planning development) for two childcare providers to deliver an increase in the number of free places for eligible children in Twerton, Bath.
From 1st September 2013 Early Years Entitlement will be mandatory for eligible two-year-old children (as defined by guidance and criteria provided by the Department for Education).
Revenue funding for payment to childcare providers has been allocated to Bath & North East Somerset Council through the Early Intervention Grant until April 2013 to develop the scheme to date. From then on funding will be allocated through the Government’s Direct School’s Grant.
The Direct School’s Grant funding allocation is to provide for the purchase of childcare places from the provider and will in the future be calculated from the annual census data submitted as part of the Early Years census undertaken annually in January.
