News

Grants aim to boost take-up of free childcare for two-year-olds

1 min read Early Years
Charities are being offered grants to help boost take-up of free childcare for two-year-olds in London, after it emerged more than a third of the capital's most disadvantaged families are missing out.

A report published this week by London mayor Sadiq Khan found that last year, just 61 per cent of eligible two-year-olds took up a free early education place in the capital compared with 72 per cent nationally.

There are also widespread differences across boroughs. In Tower Hamlets less than half (47 per cent) of disadvantaged two-year-olds are accessing their free entitlement, while Sutton has exceeded its allocation of free spaces.

To ensure more access free hours, Khan is handing 11 organisations grants of between £8,000 and £15,000 to boost awareness of the entitlement among disadvantaged families.

The offer entitles two-year-olds with experience of care, in families living on benefits, or with a special educational need or disability, to 15 hours of free childcare a week.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here


More like this