Parents and carers in Nottinghamshire are being reminded to check if children in their care qualify for free early years childcare provision for two-year-olds.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Early Years team are promoting the national initiative through a range of channels which will include working with children’s centres in the county to identify and write to all families and individuals whose children are eligible for the funding.

It is estimated that around 3,633 children in the county qualify for the free childcare provision for two-year-olds this academic year.

Councillor Liz Plant, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are reminding families and individuals to check the changes to the eligibility criteria which mean that more children could qualify for this free childcare provision during this academic year.”

Meanwhile, the county council has already created 800 childcare places across the county.

The county council’s Early Years team has praised a number of childcare providers who have introduced specific outdoor provision for two-year-olds, such as small wild meadow fields where toddlers can learn about nature during childcare sessions. Examples include Cedar House Day Nursery, in Mansfield and Bright Stars in Brook Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield.

The criteria to claim free childcare changed this September. This means even more two-year-olds in Nottinghamshire are entitled to 15 hours of free early education each week. The free early education and childcare places for two-year-olds can be taken at a provider rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, such as day nurseries, playgroups and child-minders.

For more details about the scheme, please visit Nottinghamshire County Council’s website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/childcare or call 0300 5008080.