A Wandsworth playschool which has benefited from a share of nearly £200,000 worth of Government funding was paid a special visit this week.

London’s Deputy Mayor for Education and Childcare, Joanne McCartney, visited Alton Community Playschool to celebrate the vital support it provides to families in the area.

The centre is part of Wandle Early Years Hub, one of three created by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to improve the quality and take-up of free early education in their boroughs. The hubs – Wandsworth and Merton, Barnet and Newham – were each given a share of £175,000 in funding to support the capital’s most disadvantaged children.

At the nursery, the deputy mayor saw first-hand the impact the hub is having on young families as she met with parents who have benefitted from access to funded places for two year olds.

Ms McCartney also met a mother who has been able to start working thanks to her daughter’s funded place and the flexibility the nursery has provided.

“The Early Years Hubs provide an important resource for children, parents and early years professionals, enabling them to take part in specialist training opportunities and empowering them to develop the early years network in their local area," the deputy mayor said.

“Everyone at Alton Community Playschool should be very proud of their hard work in improving access to quality early years provision in Wandsworth and Merton.

"I hope their example inspires more settings to engage with their local hub.”