Ten more areas will be trialling more places for two-year-olds, so that some children will become eligible a year earlier than originally planned.
They are Blackpool, Cornwall, Greenwich, Kent, Lambeth, Lancashire, Newcastle, Northamptonshire, Peterborough and Rotherham.
Nick Clegg and children’s minister Sarah Teather are also holding a summit today with some of the largest childcare providers to discuss how best to expand the two-year-old scheme.
Early years organisations have previously raised concerns about whether enough providers will want to offer the places for disadvantaged two-year-olds or make capital investment to increase the size of their settings.
Longstanding issues around inadequate funding for three-and four-year-olds have meant that some early years settings are effectively subsidising free places themselves.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
