CHILDREN SET TO BENEFIT FROM BIG INVESTMENT IN PLAYGROUPS AND NURSERIES (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

CHILDREN SET TO BENEFIT FROM BIG INVESTMENT IN PLAYGROUPS AND NURSERIES

October 19, 2009 12:00 AM

Young children in York at set to benefit from more than £660,000 in funding to improve facilities at their playgroups and nurseries this week as Councillors decide how to allocate the third round of a £2.1m fund from the government.

Over £284,000 was awarded to groups in January 2009 and a further £255,000 in June. Two further rounds of funding will be awarded over the next year with closing dates for applications in October 2009 and January 2010.

The money comes from the government's Early Years Capital grant: Quality and Access which aims to improve the learning environment and support the Early Years Foundation Stage.

42 bids totalling £329,000 have been recommended for approval by Council officers, with a further 61 bids totalling £338,000 being recommended for approval subject to certain conditions.

Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Children and Young People's Services, Councillor Carol Runciman will approve the list of successful bidders for the fund at a meeting on Tuesday.

A further four bids, of over £50,000 each, will be referred to the Council's Executive for approval.

Councillor Runciman said the funding would make a big difference to children across York. She said, "This funding will help to further improve the already excellent provision for young children that we have in York."

"The bids we have received have been for a wide range of improvements including IT, outdoor equipment, building alterations and resources. All of which will have a positive impact on the learning of young children."

"I am especially pleased to see these funds being allocated to such a wide range of groups including nurseries, playgroups and childminders."

Approval of the funding award will take place at the Decision Session for the Executive Member for Children and Young People's Services on the 13th October at 4pm in the Guildhall.