The arrival of 2013 brought with it the arrival of a new initiative for Guildford residents. The FEET initiative, which stands for ‘Free Early Education for every Two year old’, now means that families who have been unable to enter their children into nursery placements for monetary or situational reasons have another option.
FEET is funding by Surrey Early Years and Childcare Service and offers the chance for children over two years old to be granted government funded placements at selected nurseries for up to fifteen hours a week. The nurseries in Guildford that offer FEET funded placements include York Road Nursery, Hazel Tots Nursery and The Children’s Centre, the latter two both being located on Bellfield’s Hazel Avenue.
FEET is described as “…aiming to provide childcare places for key groups of children who will benefit from early access to childcare.” For families who meet the requirements, this is a great step forward in levelling the playing field and offering advantages to those who would otherwise have missed out on the opportunity to socialise and learn at an early age.
2013 has been the first year that FEET funding has been available in Guildford and already it is proving to be a game changer. With access to early education now readily available, it is hoped that this new initiative will continue to shape children’s education for years to come, offering equal opportunities to learn and grow regardless of financial or environmental factors that proved a hindrance before.
FEET also gives a new childcare option allowing parents to work, relax, or to get some chores done without having to pay the sometimes unmanageable childcare fees.
Families eligible for FEET funding include, but are not limited to, families with parents in the armed forces, travellers and New Age travellers, low income families and children suffering from disability. For further information on qualifying criteria and how to apply, visit HERE.
Charli Aisha Harris
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