Over £250,000 to help disadvantaged pre-school children in Rochdale

Nearly 900 young children in the borough are expected to benefit from a scheme aimed at helping prevent them falling behind before they have even started school.

Schools, nurseries and child minders will be given up to £300 for every three and four year old from a low income family in the region.

The Early Years Pupil Premium is designed to narrow the attainment gap between young children from low income families and their peers, setting them on a path to a more successful future.

Nurseries will have the freedom to decide how to use the Early Years Pupil Premium to help three and four year olds learn and develop, for example more qualified staff or specialists in activities like speech and language to give an extra focus on basic skills.