Milton Keynes Council's campaign '˜successfully supports youngsters'

Milton Keynes councillor Zoe Nolan joined Time for Twos mascot Tim this week to find out how early education funding is helping two-year-olds across the city.

The visit to Hummingbird Children’s Centre in Broughton came after figures released by the Department for Education revealed Milton Keynes Council is at the top of a list showing how successful local authorities have been in placing eligible two-year-olds into early education and childcare.

MK was rated first among a group of similar sized authorities, known as statistical neighbours, and fourth out of the 19 authorities in the South East Region.

A total 1,061 eligible two-year-olds in Milton Keynes took up their free place in a nursery, pre-school or with a child minder at the last count, meaning at 77 per cent, the borough is performing above the national average of 70 per cent.

The council launched its Time for Twos campaign in 2013, to raise awareness of the government’s initiative to increase the number of disadvantaged two-year-olds taking up high quality free early education and childcare.

The campaign includes ‘Tim’ - a giant walking, talking clock.

Councillor Nolan for children and families, said: “This is great news for Milton Keynes, particularly for our young families. It is so important that children get the best start in life and are prepared for school.

“Our Time for Twos campaign has been very successful and I am delighted that the hard work has been recognised in these latest figures.”

Time for Twos funding allows children from low income families to access up to 15 hours of early education and childcare per week, to a maximum of 570 hours per academic year.

For more information, or to find out if you are eligible, visit www.timefortwos.com or pop into your nearest Children’s Centre.