FREE CHILDCARE TO BENEFIT OVER 1,200 TWO YEAR OLDS IN STOCKPORT

A total of 1,274 two year old children in Stockport are eligible for FREE childcare at nurseries, pre-schools or childminders across the borough.

Families in receipt of certain benefits or who have an annual household income below £16,190 are urged to visit their local Sure Start Children’s Centre or phone 0161 217 6028 to check if they are eligible and get help applying for up to 15 hours of FREE childcare.

Sarah Atkinson from Reddish has five children including two year old Hannah who has attended Stockport Village Nursery in the town centre since September 2013 taking her 15 free hours from 9am-12pm, Monday to Friday.

Sarah said:

“I used to work as a teaching assistant but after Hannah was born I have been a stay at home mum. When I heard about the free childcare offer I was a bit nervous. Hannah was just about to turn two and I worried she might be too young to start in a ‘school’ environment but that hasn’t been the case at all. 

“As soon as we visited the nursery I could see that it could give Hannah what I couldn’t always give her at home. The activities such as messy play with water and paints, bikes and play equipment outside – they even built an igloo at Christmas with an ice lake and penguins!  Just as importantly she mixes with other children of her own age who share her imagination and who she can learn from.

“I’ve been surprised at how much she has learnt through just ‘playing’.  She’ll come home and hang her own coat up, wash her hands and sit at the table to eat her dinner – being at nursery has really helped prepare her for our daily routines.

“From my perspective those few hours every morning allow me to get on top of the housework and spend precious time with my older children. I’m even planning to start looking for work now I know Hannah is settled and happy. It can be scary sending your two year old to nursery but it has been a really rewarding experience for Hannah and myself,” Sarah added.

Left: Sarah and Hannah share a story in the reading corner at Stockport Village Nursery.

Lyndsey Cross, Manager at Stockport Village Nursery, said:

“Currently we’ve got about 25 two year olds using their 15 free hours with us. The hours can be used flexibly in morning or afternoon sessions and during that time some parents have gone on to find work so have topped up with additional hours.  When Hannah started with us she was very shy but she’s grown so much in confidence. Her speech has really developed and she plays happily alongside other children.  It’s wonderful to see so many children blossom. Without this scheme, children like Hannah might not have had to chance to experience the wide variety of activities on offer and the diverse group of happy children.  I would urge more parents to look at their options and decide if this is right for their child.”

Local Sure Start Children’s Centres can help families check their eligibility for free places, register their child and get a list of childcare settings which are part of the scheme.

You can read Sarah’s full story and find out more about FREE early learning and childcare for two year olds at www.stockport.gov.uk/2yearold