Nursery World - Take twos - parents benefit too

The programme of free childcare for two-year-olds doesn't just
benefit children but gives parents a new lease of life too, says James
Hempsall.

Every day, I hear powerful testimonies from parents about the opportunities that their free childcare places give them, their children, and their families. As the two-year-old funding entitlement expands to approximately 260,000 children from September, I wanted to share their experiences as they remind us why we are all working hard to make this happen.

These stories span parents taking up studying or education, the impact on their employment opportunities and choices, and the impact on a child's learning and development.

Parents have spoken of the difference in their two-year-olds since receiving the childcare. One, the youngest of three, has improved speech, and 'she's caring and sharing a lot more than she was before', according to her mum. Another child with improved communication is described as 'like a new child', 'confident and making relationships with other children'.

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