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Government doubles pre-school support for families

Friday, 27 June 2014

Savings lead to credit boost for parents

Families will receive a substantial extra sum towards pre-school places as Government delivers on a commitment to redirect savings made in another area of public spending. 

The announcement that the Government is doubling the money it spends on pre-school credit, from nearly £500,000 to £1 million, will be welcomed by the estimated 1,000 families who will be eligible in 2014/15. 

Parents of children who reach four between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015 will be eligible for £800 towards the cost of pre-school. They received £350 in 2013/14. 

Those in receipt of Employed Person’s Allowance, Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance will receive £1,500 towards pre-school, an increase from this year’s rate of £1,150. 

It is the fulfilment of a promise made by Chris Robertshaw MHK, Minister for Policy and Reform, when he announced some of the savings made by means-testing child benefit from April 2014 would be pumped into pre-school. 

The additional funds mean parents can purchase more sessions with pre-school operators.

The current  credit payments replaced the unfair state-run pre-school system in 2012. 

Prior to that, lack of facilities meant fewer than half of four-year-olds had free pre-school places, with parents missing out receiving no financial support to pay for private places.

Announcing the boost to families, Mr Robertshaw said:

‘Means-testing child benefit to ensure those most in need of this money continue to receive it while higher earners have a commensurate reduction has enabled us to redirect a substantial sum to pre-school credit.

‘Doubling the money we commit to pre-school assists parents on low incomes, who find their finances stretched to pay for places, and those who are on benefits will no doubt welcome the extra support. 

‘Children will benefit from more time in an environment that prepares them for starting school when they reach five. 

‘This is an example of Government redirecting funds to priority areas to make best use of the limited resources available, and the action is in full accord with the Social Policy Principles agreed by Tynwald in 2012.’ 

Parents must apply to the Department of Education and Children for the credit – issued in the form of a certificate that is redeemed with pre-school providers. 

A quarter of parents eligible for pre-school credit in 2014/15 have already applied and they will automatically receive the increased sum, as will new applicants. 

Parents are encouraged to apply via the Isle of Man Government website http://www.gov.im/categories/education,-training-and-careers/pre-school/ as online applications can be dealt with more efficiently, ensuring further savings. 

Alternatively, application forms are available from the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal, Douglas, the DEC’s office at Hamilton House, Peel Road, Douglas, or by ringing +44 1624 693838. Completed forms can be emailed to Pre-SchoolCredit.DEC3@doe.gov.im or posted to: 

Department of Education and Children
Hamilton House
Peel Road
Douglas, IM1 5EZ. 

A list of registered providers of child daycare who offer pre-school is available via the same weblink and from the Department of Health and Social Care’s Registration and Inspections Unit, 4th Floor, Markwell House, Market Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RZ. Tel: +44 1624 642422.

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