The Department for Education released the news of the pilot alongside more details of the childcare expansion plans, highlighting the number of two-year-olds that have so far taken up places in early years settings.
According to the figures, approximately 195,355 two-year-olds have taken up a two-year-old funded place, although this figure includes children who were already in early years settings but are now entitled to a funded place, rather than paying for it.
The official data showing the number of childcare codes issued and validated by providers will be published on Monday.
To expand capacity further, the DfE said a new pilot will start this summer to explore how unused school space could be repurposed to support childcare settings to offer more places.
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