Council plan to help disadvantaged children (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Wandsworth Council plan to help disadvantaged children

7:20am Wednesday 11th July 2012 in News By Alice Austin

Wandsworth Council is working on a plan to give disadvantaged children a brighter future.

It aims to create 1,400 free early education places by 2014 for two year olds who come from vulnerable families, and increase the range of early years services provided in the borough’s struggling neighbourhoods.

Councillor Kathy Tracey, cabinet member for children’s services, said: "Disadvantaged children already do better at schools in Wandsworth than in most other parts of the country.

"This scheme is about identifying vulnerable children very early in their lives and giving them the best possible support.

"It also aims to support parents who need help to get back into employment."

The proposal means the council is re-evaluating its current use of one o’clock clubs and children’s centre buildings.

It is also consulting private and voluntary sector providers on innovative ways of working together to share sites and develop services.

The council said it will ensure that the centres are in the borough’s most disadvantaged areas.

Last year, Ofsted reported that young people from low income backgrounds achieve more in Wandsworth than in other parts of the country.

Inspectors said: "Very young children from families with low incomes consistently do better than the same group nationally and the gap between them and their peers in the borough is narrowing well."