More than 1000 working parents across Neath Port Talbot successfully apply for funded childcare scheme

More than 1000 working parents across Neath Port Talbot have successfully applied for a funded early education and childcare scheme.

Known as the Childcare Offer for Wales, Neath Port Talbot Council is urging eligible working parents who are yet to apply, not to miss out on the funding.

The aim of the scheme is to help working parents to cover the cost of childcare and potentially have extra money every month to spend on the things that are important to their family.

The scheme can provide up to 30 hours a week of funded early education and childcare for eligible working parents of three to four year olds. The 30 hours is made up of a minimum of 10 hours of early education a week and a maximum of 20 hours a week of childcare. The Offer is available for up to 48 weeks of the year from the term after the child’s third birthday until the September following their fourth birthday or when they are offered a full-time education place.

Councillor Peter Rees, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Culture, said:

“The Childcare Offer helps to support working parents by reducing the strain on family income and helping to ensure childcare is not a barrier to taking up employment.”

“The scheme also supports the Council’s commitment to give every child in Neath Port Talbot the best possible start in life through being able to access early education.”

“I would encourage all eligible parents to find out more about the scheme and how to apply by visiting our website.”

To be eligible, parents must be living within Neath Port Talbot, have a child who is 3 or 4 years old, and earn on average a weekly minimum equivalent of 16 hours at national minimum wage or national living wage. Parents can apply to the scheme up to 12 weeks before their child is due to become eligible for the Offer.

If you are in a lone parent family you need to be working, and if you are in a two parent family you both need to be working. If you are self-employed or on a zero hours contract, you need to be able to prove this by providing the relevant documents.

The Childcare Offer is funded by Welsh Government and delivered by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Family Information Service.

For further information and to apply for the Childcare Offer, visit www.npt.gov.uk/childcareoffer .