Stone families will be among the first in the country to be entitled to 30 hours of free childcare every week.
Three and four-year-olds already receive 15 hours’ free childcare to help prepare them for school, while making it easier for parents to work.
Now the Government is funding an expansion to 30 hours a week and has chosen Staffordshire as one of the pilot areas, because of the County Council’s success in managing the scheme so far.
The expansion will begin in September and initially be targeted at families who already go out to work.
Mike Lawrence, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for children, said he was delighted that the decision to choose Staffordshire as one of the eight pilot areas would benefit parents while helping prepare their children for school.
[box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]He said: “The extension to 30 hours is great news for Staffordshire parents; it helps give their children the best possible start in life and will make a real difference to working families. Around 86 per cent of the county’s childcare providers are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, so parents know their children are in safe hands and getting the best start they can.”[/box]
Staffordshire has also been praised nationally for its success in delivering the Think2 scheme which has seen more than 80 per cent of parents claim their 15 hours of free childcare for two-year-olds.
Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah has announced £13 million would be made available for eight authorities, including Staffordshire, to offer the extended entitlement to some parents from September 2016.
Michelle Askey is one Staffordshire mum whose two-year-old daughter Phoebe has benefited from the free places, whilst allowing Michelle to get a job as a kitchen assistant at her local school.
Michelle said: “Being able to get the free 15 hours has been great for both Phoebe and me. Phoebe loves going to nursery and is learning all the skills she will need when she starts school, as well as getting the chance to play and mix with other children.
“I’ve loved getting back to work too and really enjoy my job. The best thing about it is that I work during school time which allows me to fit time around my family. Thanks to Think2 and the free hours, having the job leaves me better off financially too and because Phoebe is doing so well at nursery, I feel confident going to work.”
