Best Start in Life: Traveller parents seeing the benefits of early years education for their children

Starting nursery or going into childcare can feel like a big step. For many families, separation can be hard at first — and that is completely understandable. But early years settings such as nurseries, pre-schools and childminders are there to help children feel safe, settled and ready to learn, whatever their background.

Traveller families across the country are finding that early years education can help their children build confidence, make friends and develop skills that stay with them for life, while still respecting who they are, where they come from and the culture they belong to.

Romany Gypsy journalist Jake Bowers visited two schools to see their nurseries, meet the teachers and speak to Gypsy and Traveller parents whose children are seeing the benefits of using early years education.

One of the parents Jake spoke to was roofer William Norman, whose children have attended Wolvey Church of England Primary School and Nursery in the West Midlands since they were two years old.

“They absolutely love it,” says William.

William explained that Wolvey has lots of Traveller children and works with parents to make sure families feel welcome and included. For him, early years education is about giving children the chance to learn, grow and be ready for what comes next.

“They have got to learn their ABCs and their 123s,” he says.

Research by the Department for Education shows that children who attend high-quality early education and childcare between the ages of two and four often do better as they move through school. The government is supporting families to access early education and childcare by helping to cut the costs and put money back in their pockets through a range of schemes, including:

• 30 hours funded childcare for eligible working parents with children aged 9 months to 4 years which can help families save an average of £8000 per year per child
• 15 hours funded childcare for all families with children aged 3 to 4 years
• 15 hours of early learning each week for some families in England who get extra support, such as those on Universal Credit or children with an Education, Health and Care Plan
• Tax-Free Childcare, where working parents and carers can get a £2 top-up for every £8 they pay towards childcare
• Universal Credit Childcare where working families claiming Universal Credit with children under 17 can claim back up to 85% of eligible childcare costs.
• Free breakfast clubs in primary schools.

To help more families understand what support is available, the Department for Education and the Department for Health and Social Care have created the Best Start in Life website. Best Start in Life shares information about early years education with a free online checker to get a personalised estimate of your childcare costs and the government support available. Best Start in Life also has useful advice for parents and carers helping children prepare for school. This includes tips on communication, independence, social and emotional skills, physical development and healthy routines. Parents can also find information on other topics such as advice on weaning, feeding and nutrition.

Every child deserves to feel welcome, included and proud of who they are. Early years education can help Traveller children build the confidence, skills and habits they need — while giving parents more support as they manage work, family life and caring responsibilities.

To find out more about Best Start in Life and what support your family may be able to access, visit the Childcare & Early Years Education - Best Start in Life.

Travellers Times News

Film produced by Jake Bowers’ Gypsy Media Company. All still images used with permission.