Applications can now be made for pre-school credit for 2014/15.
 
The scheme provides ?350 towards the cost of pre-school to all parents of children who reach their fourth birthday between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015.
 
An additional ?800 is available to parents 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 day-care who offer a pre-school provision.
 
Up to half of the total credit can be used between September 2014 and February 2015 and the remaining balance, or the whole amount, can be used between March 2015 and August 2015.
 
Parents are encouraged apply via the Isle of Man Government website http://www.gov.im/categories/education,-training-and-careers/pre-school/.
 
Online applications are dealt with more speedily than paper applications as there is less processing involved.
 
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 693838.
 
Completed forms can be emailed to Pre-SchoolCredit.DEC3@doe.gov.im or posted to:
 
Department of Education and Children
Hamilton House
Peel Road
Douglas, IM1 5EZ
 
A list of registered providers of child daycare who offer pre-school provision is available via the same weblink and from the Department of Health and Social Care’s Registration and Inspections Unit, 4th Floor, Markwell House, Market Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RZ. Tel: 01624 642422.
 
The website also answers frequently asked questions here https://www.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.
 
In the 2012-13 academic year, a total of 899 certificates were issued to parents of children having their fourth birthday during the year. Of these, 670 certificates were at the standard credit amount of ?350, while 229 parents received the higher rate of ?1,150 (or a reduced amount where there was only a part-year entitlement to these benefits).
 
So far during the 2013-14 academic year, 870 certificates have been issued, 637 at the standard rate and 233 at the higher rate.
 
Parents who still wish to apply for credit for the current academic year can do so online via the link above.