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Church Street Nursery runs successful pilot scheme for free places for two year olds

Church Street Nursery is running a pilot scheme offering free places for two year olds. Councillor Nicola Aiken and David Bell, Project Manager Westminster Council, visited the Nursery on 22nd June to review the impact and progress of the pilot and to find out the views of parents.  
08 Jul 2010

"I cried when he said 'thank you' for the first time." Mrs A told Councillor Nicola Aiken and David Bell, Project Manager Westminster Council,  when asked about her two year old son J. Mrs A and J are benefitting from the pilot funding for two year olds at Church Street Nursery. The Nursery was recommended to Mrs A by a speech therapist who had been working with J to help him with his language. Mrs A was concerned because J had not yet starting speaking and communicated only non-verbally.  J has been coming to the Nursery since January 2010 and Mrs A is delighted with the progress he has made, "He chats or sings all the time now and has made lots of friends at the nursery." 

Another satisfied parent is Ms C "I am so pleased with having my daughter at the nursery, as it has allowed me to go back to studying" explained Ms C to Councillor Nicola Aiken. Ms C studies while her daughter attends the nursery for 5 sessions 15 hours per week. Ms C hopes to pass her course and be able to start hr nursing training in the future.

Ms Aiken and Mr Bell visited Church Street Nursery on 22nd June to review the impact and progress of the pilot funding for two year olds and in particular to talk to parents. 

In 2009 the Government pledged to provide funding for 15% of the most disadvantaged two-year-olds and their families in every LA across the country. The extended offer provides:

  • 15 hours of free, high-quality childcare a week
  • family support offering the parent access to a range of activities, such as structured play with their child, parenting classes and wider support such as signposting to other services and training
  • effective partnership-working and outreach activity to engage families into childcare through a network of local delivery agents and direct outreach.

The pilot schemes are running in selected settings in London Boroughs with high levels of deprivation. Church Street Nursery was chosen because of it's Outstanding OFSTED award.

 

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