More time at nursery

Dec 1 2007 by Urmee Khan, The Journal

NURSERY schools in the North-East will receive £27m from the Government to extend free early education for children.

The extra funding will be used to pay for education entitlement for all three and four-year-olds from the current 12.5 hours to 15 hours each week over the next three years nationwide.

Yesterday, the Government informed local authorities of the amounts they will receive from 2008. The North-East will be getting £27m of the national £642m cash boost.

Durham will receive a yearly payout of £1.6m. for the next three years. Frank Firth, nominated strategic officer at Sure Start County Durham, said: “We welcome the opportunities and the benefits that this extra funding will bring to children throughout County Durham.

“It is recognised that good-quality early-years education is crucial to a child’s development and future prospects. Anything that improves the prospects for our children is great news for mums, dads and carers in the county.”

Northumberland will be getting £1m per year for the next three years. A spokesperson said: “Northumberland County Council welcomes any additional funding that enables us to provide even better services for children, young people, and their families.”

Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes said free nursery education was essential to supporting high-quality early learning and care for children.

She said: “We know that high-quality early learning makes a real difference to children’s development with lasting effects throughout primary school. Our vision is about giving all parents the chance to use affordable and high-quality childcare when making a decision.

“By setting quality standards for all early years settings, the Early Years Foundation Stage is at the heart of our efforts to make sure every child is on the road to good achievement by the time they start school.”