Press release from the county council

Hertfordshire is one of only 15 local authorities across the country to be selected to trial free childcare places for two year olds to give children from less well off families a chance to get ahead.

Gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged children begin to show at an early age and the government announced in October that funding would be extended for free places for two year olds.

Applications for the funding were received from 110 local authorities. As a successful applicant, Hertfordshire will receive £398,665 of additional money this financial year to help families in most financial need.

The council’s childhood support services team (Education and Early Intervention Group) will be using the funding to:

* create a more flexible system so that parents can more easily match their childcare entitlements with their working hours;
* improve the quality of childcare in disadvantaged areas;
* develop further training for professionals providing childcare; and
* engage parents in their child’s learning to give their children the best possible start to their school careers.

John Harris, director of children’s services, said: “Hertfordshire County Council welcomes the opportunity to build on previous research and learning in order to support the most disadvantaged families.

“Ensuring that children who live in low income families have access to early education supported by home learning will improve their school readiness.”