Free care extended to include children aged two

Currently the cut off age is three for 15 hours free care a week, and yesterday Sarah Teather, Minister for Children and Families, announced that will be extended to two from September 2014.

The Government estimates the move – costing £760m – will benefit more than 300,000 families nationally, and 34,000 across Yorkshire.

Ms Teather said: “There is compelling evidence that early education, through play and stories, helps young children prepare for school in their crucial early years. We have an ambitious programme to roll out free early education and it is vital that this support, backed by funding rising to £760m by 2014-15, is targeted towards those who need it.

“Babies born this year will receive the benefit of high-quality early education in two years’ time. It’s vital that we get this right for their sake.

“This Government is doing all it can to ensure that children in the poorest families are able to achieve what they want to do.”

Ms Teather yesterday launched a consultation calling for views on which two-year-olds should benefit. It is the second phase of the roll out of free early education to around 40 per cent of two-year-old children to help to prepare them for school.

In the consultation document the Government said that two-year-olds from families who meet the criteria for free school meals will continue to be eligible.

In addition, the Department for Education proposes that two-year-old children should get free early education if they are in low- income families earning no more than £16,190 each year, have special educational needs or a disability, or have been in care and been adopted.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “A decent early education can make a huge difference to the start a child’s progress, unlocking their potential to help them follow their ambitions.

“All children should have a fair chance to get on in life, which is why we’re extending free childcare to 40 per cent of two-year-olds.

“The consultation is about making sure we get that right.”

From September 2013, under the first phase of the entitlement, the least advantaged 20 per cent of two-year-olds will receive free early education. The Government is trialling the delivery of this first phase in 10 areas in England, benefiting around 150,000 children.

From September 2014 this will rise to nearly 300,000.

Currently, 95 per cent of three and four-year-olds access 15 hours of free early education every week – more than 800,000 children nationally.

In Leeds it is estimated around 5,000 families will benefit. Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, welcomed the announcement.

“This is great news for parents and toddlers in our area,” he said. “Early years education, through play and stories, helps young children prepare for school.

“It’s also a huge help to parents who may be struggling to juggle work commitments and having young children.

“One of this Government’s priorities is to close the attainment gap between the poorest children and their more well-off peers.

“By making early years education freely available to the least well-off families and giving additional money to schools whose pupils are eligible for Free School Meals through the Pupil Premium we are ensuring we give our children the best start in life in a way that Labour never did.”

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said she hoped local authorities and the Government would have a “comprehensive strategy” in place to make sure eligible families are aware of the offering.

“NDNA is pleased children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) will be eligible for funded two year old places, as this will offer parents much-needed support,” she said. “We are also pleased that there will be some flexibility in this, so children with disabilities, who may not be classified as having SEN at age two, can also access the entitlement.”