The Isle of Man Government has agreed to extend the pre-school voucher scheme to support nurseries, childminders and other child day care providers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This move will ensure that the children of all key workers will continue to be looked after during these unprecedented times.
It means the Government will:
- Continue to fund pre-school vouchers for all facilities closed or otherwise for all approved pre-school age children who are registered
- Issue additional pre-school vouchers for pre-school age children where they move to a different pre-school provider that has remained open
- Extend pre-school vouchers to the younger children (0-3) of key workers who attend approved Child daycare providers or childminders which are open. This provision will continue until emergency provisions are lifted
- Pull forward 3rd term payments for pre-school vouchers and pay these from 1 April onwards
In order to access the additional extended pre-school vouchers for younger children of key workers, parents and carers need to email Pre-SchoolCredit.DESC@gov.im
Those who qualify will be sent an application form to be completed and returned with a copy of a key worker letter from the employer. Once applications have been received an award letter will be sent out for parents and carers to give to their pre-school nursery or childminder.
Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said:
‘Schools, nurseries, child day care facilities and child minders have all stepped up to confront the health emergency we face.
‘I have been massively impressed by their professionalism, dedication and flexibility. I hope this extra funding will help them support all our key workers as we work together to safeguard our island community’.
The Isle of Man Government would like to thank all child day care providers and childminders for their assistance and flexibility at this difficult time.
Please email: Pre-SchoolCredit.DESC@gov.im for further information.
