A MULTI-million-pound scheme to get children in Hull ready for school is reaping rewards.
Almost 1,500 two-year-olds in the city have been offered free nursery places whose parents may previously not have been able to afford them.
The scheme, a government-funded initiative, is aimed at bridging the gap between these children and their peers.
Those eligible will get 15 hours per week for their child.
In Hull, 79 per cent of eligible children have taken a place, compared with 55 per cent nationally.
It is the highest take-up in the region and has now been commended by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Childcare and Education, Sam Gyimah.
Sue Cornwall, of children and young people's services at Hull City Council, says it is critical as many eligible children as possible take up the places so they are ready for when they start school.
She said: "Children going to school ready is a key priority and these youngsters who have been accessing the early years offer have benefited.
"There has been a very positive start.
"It is about that opportunity to develop their language, their communication, their social skills and an opportunity to interact with other children and they learn how to work with other children.
"They also develop early learning skills to give them a really basic early education to allow them to move on and to build on these skills."
The scheme started in September 2013, when 20 per cent of the most disadvantaged two-year-olds in the city were funded places.
The city was given £4.8m to target 1,072 children for nursery places as well as to expand and enhance provision.
In September, that was extended to 40 per cent of children, with the qualifying criteria extended to allow more children to access the free places.
The city has been given £5.6m to make sure a predicted 2,200 children could take up the offer.
Ms Cornwall said, for children in Hull, it is about making sure youngsters are developing at the rate they should so they are not falling behind when they start school.
She said: "Primarily in Hull it is about language and communication – that's our key priority as well as personal and social development, which is really crucial for young children to benefit in the right way.
"And of course the families get used to getting children to school and how important that is. Parents appreciate and value education and we want to give their children the very best start."
It is expected more families will access the free child care this term with officers from Hull City Council contacting all of those who are available.
So far this term, a further 437 applications have been made.
Children who access the childcare are offered places in nurseries which have been rated as good or outstanding by Ofsted.
As well as offering free places to children, the scheme has seen an extra 148 jobs created in the nursery sector with 1,632 extra hours for staff.
Councillor Rosie Nicola, portfolio holder for learning, skills and safeguarding children, said she was pleased so many families have taken up the free places and is urging parents who have not to get in touch.
She said: "To achieve a 79 per cent uptake rate is fantastic news, and I am delighted that so many parents have applied for a free place.
"There are 500 places still available and I am urging parents and carers and guardians to apply to see if they are entitled to free early education starting this month.
"Children like to explore the world around them, play with other children and have fun. Good-quality early years education from a young age can help boost child development and that is why we are offering families to get a head start for their children."
Parents who want to find out more information or get an application form can call the family information service on 01482 318318, email fis@hullcc.gov.uk or alternatively, visit hullcc.gov.uk/fis to apply online.Do you qualify for free nursery care? FAMILIES may be eligible for the two-year-old early education entitlement if they get any of the following:
Income Support
Income based Job Seekers Allowance.
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
Support through part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act.
The guaranteed element of the State Pension Credit.
Child Tax Credit (but not working Tax Credit) and have an annual income under £16,190.
The Working Tax Credit four- week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).
You get Working Tax Credit and earn under £16,190.
Children are also eligible for a place if:
They have a current Statement of Special Educational Need or an Education, Health and Care Plan.
They get Disability Living Allowance.
They have been adopted from local authority care.
They have left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangement or residence order.
