Applications can now be made for pre-school credit for 2013/14.
 
The scheme provides ?350 towards the cost of pre-school to all parents of children who reach their fourth birthday between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014.
 
An additional ?800 is available those who would be eligible for free school meals – i.e. in receipt of Employed Person’s Allowance, Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
 
The credit – which is issued in the form of a certificate – can be used with registered providers of child daycare who offer pre-school provision.
 
Half of the total credit can be used between September 2013 and February 2014 and the remaining balance, or the whole amount, can be used between March 2014 and August 2014.
 
The Government’s Customer First team administers the pre-school credit scheme.
 
Parents can apply via the Isle of Man Government website https://cf.gov.im/categories/education,-training-and-careers/pre-school/pre-school-credit-online-application-form/ Alternatively, copies of the application form are available from the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal, Douglas, the DEC’s office at Hamilton House, Peel Road, Douglas, or by ringing 651540.
 
Parents who still wish to apply for credit for the current academic year can do so online via the link above.
 
Completed forms can be emailed to customer.first@gov.im or posted to:
Customer First
Department of Community, Culture and Leisure
2nd Floor, Illiam Dhone House
2 Circular Road
Douglas, IM1 1PG
Tel: 01624 685959
 
A list of registered providers of child daycare who offer pre-school provision is available via the same weblink and from the Department of Social Care’s Registration and Inspections Service, 3/4 Hill Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1EF. Tel: 01624 642427
 
The website also answers frequently asked questions here https://cf.gov.im/categories/education,-training-and-careers/pre-school/pre-school-credit-scheme-faqs/.
 
The Government-funded scheme was launched after the Department of Education and Children ceased to provide pre-school places in 2012. It means all children can access pre-school.
 
So far during the 2012-13 academic year, a total of 893 credit certificates have been issued to parents of children having their fourth birthday during the year. Of these, 665 certificates have been issued at the standard credit amount of ?350, while 228 parents entitled to one of the listed benefits have received the higher rate of ?1,150 (or a reduced amount where there is only a part-year entitlement to these benefits). The total value of certificates issued to date is ?492,250.20.