Working families in Royston will have increased access to government-funded childcare thanks to a government initiative.

The Department for Education initiative starts in April 2024 and will be fully rolled out by September 2025, with an aim to make nursery education accessible to more families and extend financial support to those with children already in nursery.

To find out if your child is eligible go to https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator.

From April, families with eligible two-year-olds will have access to 15 hours per week of government-funded childcare during term time.

From September this year, the initiative extends to include eligible working parents of children aged nine months to three years.

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The most expansive change comes in September 2025, when eligible working parents of children aged nine months and upwards can access 30 hours of free childcare per week, extending the current scheme for three-year-olds.

Jan Homewood, nursery manager at Sunhill Day Nursery in Royston - which is part of The Old Station Nursery Group - said: "We are delighted with this enhanced support provided by the government.

"More families will be able to join us in providing early years care and education, so vital for preparing our town’s children ready for school."