Applications for a funded early education and childcare scheme are now open to eligible parents across the whole of Neath Port Talbot.

Known as the 'Childcare Offer Neath Port Talbot', the scheme provides up to 30 hours a week of funded early education and childcare for eligible working parents of three to four year olds.

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.

It includes 12.5 hours of early education and 17.5 hours of childcare each week during term time, and 30 hours of childcare per week for up to nine weeks of the school holidays.

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 scheme was initially launched last September to 14 pilot areas across Neath Port Talbot. To date, the scheme has received over 500 applications from parents, and over 100 childcare providers have registered to deliver the scheme.

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

“The Childcare Offer helps us to support working parents through 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 accessing early education.”

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.nptfamily.com/childcareoffer.