Mr Kennedy argued that the proposal, which also entails top-ups from the Government when the child is five, 11 and 16, with extra amounts for the most deprived, meant that vitally needed cash would be locked up for 18 years when it could be used to provide integrated services.
The Lib Dems said they would use the money saved - around 250m a year - to make early years centres available in communities to provide integrated education, health and social services during a child's early years, as well as support for parents.
While Tory leader Michael Howard extolled the virtues of choice in education, his party has no official policy yet on the early years and childcare.
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