Over 90% of two year olds take up childcare places in York

Over 90% of two-year-olds eligible for government-funded childcare took up their place at a nursery or childminder in York last term, the highest percentage across the region.

Regularly attending a childcare setting, such as a playgroup, nursery or childminder, can help children learn to play with others, develop new skills and get ready for school.

It can also help parents and carers get time to work, study or do all those things that are tricky with a young child around!

The percentage take-up of childcare places by eligible two-year-olds in York is consistently above the national average of 74% and puts the city in the top ten local authorities in the country, thanks to the provision of high quality childcare places in the city.

Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

“We know that access to childcare can improve a child’s education and learning outcomes, helping them to develop new skills, get ready for school and make new friends.

“Access to high quality, funded-childcare helps to tackle inequalities – one of our key priorities - and can support parents and carers in their own work and development.

“While I’m pleased that the take-up of childcare places in York is comparatively high, we will continue to work with communities and childcare providers to ensure that all eligible children are able to access the funded childcare.”

Two year-olds can get funded childcare if they live in England and their parents or carers get any of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (or both), and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
• the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

2-year-olds can also get funded childcare if they:

• are looked after by a local authority
• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• get Disability Living Allowance
• have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order

Parents and carers may have to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies or trips.

York Family Information Service helps families to find Ofsted-registered childcare in York and can suggest ways to reduce the cost of childcare.

For more information visit www.raiseyork.co.uk/childcare, call  01904 554444 Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm or email fis@york.gov.uk.

The government is extending its national childcare funding offer available to working parents from April. Working parents who earn less than £100,000 per year, with two year olds, will be eligible to access 15 hours childcare support. Find out more at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.