Services for Young Children

The 2 Year Old Offer: helping you to support your child’s development

What is happening in Hampshire?

We are part of a national pilot that offers two year old children free early years education and family support at home. This offer aims to help your child develop and to provide you with information about other services which may be of use to you.

Who can access the offer?

  • Families living in the following areas:

    • Havant: families living in the notional catchment areas of Sharps Copse, Links, Park Futures and Trospacc Children’s Centres

    • Gosport: families living in the notional catchment areas of Haselbridge, Rowner and Little Waves Children’s Centres.

    • New Forest: families living in the wards of Holbury and North Blackfield, and Butts Ash and Dibden Purlieu.

    • Rushmoor: families living in the wards of Mayfield, North Town or Heronwood.

  • And who are also claiming either Income Support or Income based Job Seekers Allowance or Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the Family Element or Extra Tax Credit at a rate higher than the Family Element or Extra Tax Credit relating to a disability or Pension Credit

  • And has one or more other elements known to affect family life. (These elements are listed on the offer request form and we can talk through these with you if you think you might be eligible).

What is free early years education?

Early years education takes place in pre-schools, day nurseries and with childminders. If you are eligible to receive this offer you will be able to choose from a list of high quality groups and childminders where you would like your child to go.

Your child will be offered a place for up to 10 hours per week (for 38 weeks per year). They will be able to attend from the term after they are two, up until the end of the term that they reach three.

At this point, your child will be part of the usual early years education offer and may increase their time in a group or with a network childminder to between 12 ½  to 15 hours.

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How will my child benefit?

Children like to explore the world around them, play with other children and have fun.

Good early years education from a young age can help to boost child development and that is why we are offering families a chance to get a head start for their children.

Will I have to take all of the 10 hours?

No, you can begin with a few hours each week for the first term and build up to 10 hours per week over the year if you wish. You will need to stick to the same number of hours each week over one term.

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Would I have to stay with my child?

To begin with you may wish to stay with your child for part of the first few sessions to help your child settle into a new setting, but all the groups and childminders have been carefully chosen, based on their experience and good practice, so that you can feel confident that you are leaving your child in a safe and nurturing environment.

You may want to send your child to pre-school or a childminder for a few hours every day or use the 10 hours over three days. This may help you to have a short break, go on training or go to work.

Is the early education really free?

Yes, the setting will receive payment for the time that your child is in the group or with the childminder, up to 10 hours per week. You will be asked to sign an agreement to say how many hours your child is attending so that we can arrange for the group or childminder to receive their funding for your child.

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Can I take extra hours?

Yes, that is fine. However, if you would like your child to stay for more than the 10 hours per week you will have to pay the extra fees. You may be eligible to claim Childcare Tax Credits, or your employer (if you work) may provide Childcare Vouchers to help you with the cost of your childcare fees.

What support will there be for my family?

Additional family support is a part of the offer. You can choose whether or not you want this help.

Family support involves sharing information about other services within the community such as children’s centres, Jobcentre Plus and health services that may be of help to you. We can talk through with you what these services are able to offer and you decide whether they may be of use to you.

We can also visit you at home to share ideas and activities which will  help your child to develop. As part of a home visit you will be offered ideas on child development, play and support for learning at home. The home visitor can also support your child’s move into new settings, such as a pre-school group. This can help to build the confidence of both parents/carers and children.

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How can I get this support?

If you think your family and child might be eligible to receive this offer, please talk to your health visitor or other agency who may be working with your child or family or contact us directly. You can either apply yourself or ask them to apply for you. You will be asked to give consent to share information on the application form so that other services you use know that you are part of the 2 Year Old Offer.

Contact us for more information

Parents

  • Havant: 023 9226 1057
    Lesley Worrell / Lyn Young

  • Gosport: 01329 283498
    Lesley Worrell

  • New Forest: 023 8029 3768
    Lyn Young

  • Rushmoor: 01252 814820
    Sheila Hornby

Providers

  • Havant and Gosport: 023 9225 9906
    Scott Hickman (Childcare Development Co-ordinator)

  • New Forest: 023 8066 7360
    Sarah Davey (Childcare Development Co-ordinator)

  • Rushmoor: 01252 814820
    Sheila Hornby (Childcare Development Co-ordinator)

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