Tynwald’s approval is being sought for an increase in pre-school credit.
Pre-school credit is available to parents of children resident in the Isle of Man in the year in which they turn four and must be spent with pre-school providers registered with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
The Department of Education and Children (DEC) proposes to increase the standard amount from £800 to £1,700 a year.
It proposes to increase the higher rate – paid to those in receipt of Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employed Persons Allowance or Income Support – from £1,500 to £2,150.
If supported by Tynwald this month, the increase would take effect from the start of the new academic year.
The last increase was in 2014.
Uptake of pre-school credit has increased from 91% of eligible children in the 2012-13 academic year, when it began, to 97% in 2014-15.
Under the proposals, parents in receipt of the standard sum will be able to spend up to £565 prior to the end of December, £1,130 prior to the end of March 2017 and the remainder (or the whole amount) from April 2017 onwards (pro rata for those in receipt of the higher sum).
This ensures children either attend pre-school throughout the year or closest to when they start school.
In line with the Isle of Man Government’s Digital Strategy, parents are encouraged to apply for pre-school credit direct via the website www.gov.im/categories/education,-training-and-careers/pre-school/
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 01624 685832. Completed forms should be emailed to Pre-SchoolCredit.DEC3@doe.gov.im or posted to Hamilton House.
Parents who still wish to apply for credit for the current academic year can do so online.
A list of registered providers can be found on the same web page.
In order to support quality assurance, pre-schools will be supported by an Early Years Advisory Teacher at DEC.
An Education Inspector will work in partnership with the DHSC Registrations and Inspections Unit, to ensure settings that are registered work to high standards.
