Early years update for parents / carers

March 2021 🖍️ 📚 🧒

Early years and childcare providers continue to work hard to ensure they are COVID-safe for staff, children and their families

From March 22 those working in early years settings will be able to access twice weekly symptom-free tests to carry out at home. This will help detect hidden asymptomatic cases and keep children and staff safer in settings.

Help with the cost of childcare

During term time, all families with three and four year old children are entitled to 15 hours per week of free childcare from the term after their third birthday. If eligible, working families can access an additional 15 hours giving them 30 hours per week of free childcare for their three and four year-olds.

Don't miss out!  Dudley parents who want to take up a 30 hours place for their 3 or 4 year old in the summer term (1 April to 31 August 2021) must apply before March 31. Do it in good time to ensure a valid code is received before the deadline.

'Time for Twos' offers 15 hours of free childcare for families of two year-olds who receive some forms of support. 

Working families can sign up for tax free childcare, where the government adds £2 to every £8 paid in, up to £2,000 per child per year.

More information on help with the cost of childcare, early years settings and more.

Benefits of early education

Early education offers so many benefits to children, including developing their social skills like sharing, turn taking and making and playing with friends; this helps children become ready for school.

Parents and carers also benefit as it gives them time to themselves, to work, to train or look for work or access training that might lead to work.

Little Chick Book - Getting ready to start school

Is your child starting school after the summer? Now might be a good time to start talking to them about it. You can use the Little Chick book to talk about what it will be like for your child when they start school and how you can get ready.

View the digital page turner of the book.

More information about Black Country Early Outcomes.

Parenting transitions programme

Dudley Parenting service now offers a new transitions parenting programme for parents who have separated/divorced from the other parent of their child and would like help with stress, communication and managing the challenges that this can bring to their family. Find out more.

Triple P online parenting programme

Dudley parents/carers with children aged up to 16 years, can access a free online parenting programme which includes a new module with tips and strategies to help while we’re staying at home more. Find out more.

Play your part, protect Dudley borough

Please do not send your child to an early years setting if they or anyone in your household show any symptoms of coronavirus:

a high temperature

a new, continuous cough

a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste

It’s vital if you or any member of your household have coronavirus symptoms, you  isolate immediately and book a test.

Symptom-free testing

Anyone who needs to leave their home for any reason (such as work, caring responsibilities, shopping, etc.) is being encouraged to get regular rapid
symptom-free Covid-19 tests. They can be accessed at various locations across Dudley borough, find out more and book a test.

Every little thing you do... washing your hands, covering your face, making space, and taking a test is making a difference.

Dudley, let’s keep going.

Latest Coronavirus information.