Early years capital grant

The government has allocated three year funding to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames to improve access and quality in early years settings.

The main outcomes of the funding:

• Private, voluntary and independent providers to be able to deliver the extension of the free core offer for three and four year olds and to do so flexibly;
• Disabled children to be able to access provision;
• Early years environments, that have quality learning environments, are to support delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

The Early Years team are currently working with 4Children, who provide guidance and support to local authorities, and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to define criteria for the awarding of grants and to have a clear transparent process for application.

The application process will be rolled out to providers by March 2009.

For further information please contact:

Sue Ritson,
Head of Early Years and Childcare

Phone: 020 8891 7552
Email: s.ritson@richmond.gov.uk

Jane Knight,
Business Support Manager

Phone: 020 8831 6268
Email: j.knight@richmond.gov.uk

Karl Hildebrandt,
Childcare Market Manager

Phone: 020 8891 7585
Email: karl.hildebrandt@richmond.gov.uk

Rachel Turner,
Foundation Stage Strategy Manager

Phone: 020 8831 6261
Email: r.turner@richmond.gov.uk