ENSURING Thurrock’s youngest residents get the best possible start to their education by accessing free childcare places was the focus of discussion on Thursday evening.
Members of the council’s Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard that although there are currently adequate places and just above national average take-up of childcare places for two year olds in the borough, some eligible families are not benefitting from the free places.
The committee was told the annual Childcare Sufficiency Assessment shows an adequate supply of early education places this year, a surplus in 2016, but from 2017 the growing demand will be a challenge to meet.
Chair of the committee, Cllr James Halden said: “We know that accessing childcare places early supports the positive development of Thurrock’s young children.
“Lots of work is underway through social workers, children’s centres and partners to promote the benefits especially for two-year-olds, but more can be done to make eligible parents aware.
“Low take up of the free places in some areas of the borough such as Tilbury must be addressed and I would call on all ward councillors to play their part in promoting this potentially life-changing opportunity.”
The council has submitted an expression of interest to the government to be in the first phase of a pilot which would see 30 hours of childcare for working parents of three- and four-year-olds.
It is hoped this would help residents access the new job opportunities being delivered through Thurrock’s regeneration programme.
