SCOTTISH Borders Council is urging parents to make the most of funded childcare in the area.

Starting on Monday, local nurseries, childcare providers, health visitors and jobcentres will be providing information and answering any questions.

Places are available now for eligible two-year-olds – and again in January and April.

Councillor Carol Hamilton, executive member for children and young people, said: “Eligible two year olds and their parents or carers are continuing to experience the benefits of taking up their entitlement to funded early learning and childcare hours.

“Not only are the children given the opportunity to develop their social, language and learning skills, but parents and carers are able to have some vital time to themselves for work, training or some other purpose.”

For more information, visit: www.scotborders.gov.uk/elc

The funded hours apply to children with parents or carers who receive income support, income-based job seeker’s allowance; any income related element of employment and support allowance; incapacity/severe disablement allowances; pension credit; or support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Parents can also take advantage of the scheme if they receive universal credit (where the monthly earned income does not exceed £610); receive child tax credit (but not working tax credit) and where income is less than £16,105.

Or if they receive both maximum child tax credit and maximum working tax credit – where income is under £6,420.