Nursery World - Free places take-up on rise

The number of three- and four-year-olds taking up the free early education entitlement has risen by 20,000 in the past year, latest Government figures reveal. DfES statistics issued last week show that there are now 1,130,000 children taking up places, compared with 1,110,000 last year.

DfES statistics issued last week show that there are now 1,130,000 children taking up places, compared with 1,110,000 last year.

This equates to virtually all four-year-olds and 96 per cent of three-year-olds.

Children's minister Beverley Hughes said, 'I'm delighted that so many parents are taking up this offer. As well as benefiting children, the free hours allow parents to sample childcare as a route back to work and training.'

Children are counted at each setting they attend, which can lead to double-counting if children are registered with more than one provider, so the percentage of children who benefit from some early education can add up to more than 100 per cent. A child-level Early Years Census now being piloted should lead to a more accurate figure on the take-up of early years education, as those who attend more than one setting will only be counted once.

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