By Richard Johnstone | 2 September 2013
The government is to double the number of free childcare places available for two-year-olds to help more children get ‘a brighter start in life’, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said.
From today, 130,000 2-year-olds are eligible for free childcare, based on whether their family qualifies for free school meals or whether they are looked after by the local authority. That equates to 20% of 2-year-olds.
In a speech this morning, Clegg revealed this will double to 260,000 places next year, or around 40% of all 2-year-olds, by opening up the offer to families that earn less than £16,190 per year and receive Working Tax Credits. Those who have been adopted, are in care or have a disability or special educational needs will also benefit from next year.
All the evidence shows that children’s educational chances are impacted by the help they get before they even get to school, Clegg said.
‘Without this help, children suffer and the whole class suffers as teachers have to focus more of their efforts on children who are frustrated and left behind through no fault of their own,’ he added.
Overall, around £534m will be spent this year to provide 130,000 childcare places, and this will rise to £760m in 2014/15.
