25 areas spread across six regional cluster areas will share £4m to work together as ‘Early Innovators’ on specific issues, such as how to make it easier for providers to offer places for children with disabilities and special educational needs, flexibility, availability of places, and supporting parents to work.
Their experiences will be used to support the expansion of the Government’s 30-hour per week free childcare scheme for 3-4 year olds across England in 2017, so that as many parents as possible will be able to use the 30-hour childcare offer.
Commenting, Steve said:
“I am pleased that Cornwall has been awarded this funding, which will be helpful in tackling issues that would prevent some of those who benefit from the Government’s new free childcare scheme most from accessing it. I look forward to working with Cornwall Council to ensure the funding is used appropriately’.
For more information contact James Mustoe on 07885 277670 or at [email protected]