Working "2gether" for young families

Over 2,600 two year-olds in Devon are either now entitled to, or will be from September, up to 15 hours of free Early Learning and Childcare per week.

This is roughly 35% of the County’s 2 year-old children who can benefit from the opportunity to make new friends, learn through play and have lots of fun at one of around 430 of our high quality specially approved childcare settings.

Those childcare providers include day nurseries, pre-schools, child-minders and school nurseries.

The DISC website gives more information and tells parents/carers the eligibility criteria and how to apply or speak a local Children’s Centre, childcare provider or telephone Devon’s Family Information Service (DISC) on 0345 155 1013

Cabinet member for children, schools and skills, James McInnes says: "This is good news and an initiative I am happy to support.

"Research has shown that high quality early years provision improves the outcome for these most vulnerable children and can increase the take-up of free entitlement for three and four year olds.

"I would encourage parents and carers to get in touch with us for help and information about how to apply."

To qualify a parent/carer must be receiving one of several eligible benefits, which include income support, job seekers allowance and some with child tax credit. 

Devon’s Children in Care are also eligible.

Children are eligible from the start of the term after their second birthday, for example a child born between 1 September and 31 December will be offered a place from 1 January following their second birthday.