Nursery World - The poorest children will be locked out of the extended entitlement

The poorest third of families will see almost no direct benefit from the extended early years entitlement, according to new analysis.

The IFS report highlights underfunding of the early years entitlement, PHOTO: Adobe Stock

The research on spending on the early years and childcare reveals there will be a ‘significant drop’ in the number of disadvantaged two-year-olds that will be eligible for the funded entitlement which is being expanded from April to two-year-olds and to all children from the age of nine months by the end of 2025.

Many providers to receive £5 or less per hour for funded places

According to the analysis, the poorest third of families will see almost no direct benefit from the new entitlement.

The Early Years Alliance questioned why it is seen as acceptable in the early years that ‘children’s fundamental access to education is determined by their parents’ earnings’

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