Angela Griffin joins Children's Minister to encourage use of FREE Early Learning

Actress Angela Griffin joined Beverley Hughes, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, today to help raise awareness of the entitlement to free early learning for three and four year olds. The government wants to ensure that more parents are aware of the benefits of early learning for young children and take advantage of the free 12.5 hours on offer – increasing to 15 hours by 2010.

Angela Griffin commented, “With free early learning, I’m able to give my daughters the best start in life. This free entitlement is for all 3 and 4 year olds and it’s important that every parent knows what’s available so they can make an informed decision. Parents should explore their options and visit their local nursery or children’s centre to see first hand the great facilities available. The first 12.5 hours are free and soon this will go up to 15 hours, so there’s even more on offer to help parents and their kids.”

In the last month, the Minister has pledged £590 million to help extend free early education from 12.5 hours to 15 hours a week by 2010, and £642 million to enable private, voluntary and independent providers to get improved outdoor play areas, expanded indoor areas and computers. This new funding will help to ensure that all families can get the high quality early learning and childcare that they need to give their children a great start in life, and ensure they are on the road to good achievement by the time they start school.

Beverley Hughes MP, Minister for Children, Young People and Families commented:

“Research has shown clearly the advantages of good quality early learning and we want to ensure all children, regardless of background, benefit. Millions of children and families have already seen the value of the free entitlement and we want all of them to take full advantage of their free 12.5 hours a week.”

Recent findings from the Effective Pre-school and Primary Education (EPPE) study, show that attending high quality early learning, particularly when combined with a supportive and nurturing home learning environment, has significant positive effects on children’s social and academic development and that these are still noticeable at age 10.

The government offers all three and four year olds 12.5 hours of free early learning a week for 38 weeks a year, which will rise to 15 hours a week by 2010. There is also more financial help with childcare costs available to parents than ever before. Working parents can get up to 80 per cent of their costs back through the childcare element of Working Tax Credit when they use childcare that is registered or approved.

Hughes concluded:

“The DCSF wants all children to reap the positive benefits that come from attending high-quality early learning, no matter what their background. We want parents to understand the positive effect early learning will have on their children and to raise awareness of the affordable options on offer to them in their community”

In December 2007 the DCSF will launch its first ever national Children’s Plan which will set out what it needs to do to ensure that every child has a good start in life, every young person can make the most of their talents and all our children can be healthy, happy and have fun.

For more information about childcare options in your area phone 0800 2346 346 or go to www.direct.gov.uk/childcare

To read the DCSF Check List