The tail is the numbers game about meeting targets for how many two-year-olds are in funded places, in line with Government policy. We risk losing sight of what should be the leading purpose – providing a better start for the children and families at risk of missing out in society.
Moving two-year-olds into early education has huge amounts of money attached. Half a billion pounds this year flows into the provision of places, following £100m of capital money to develop capacity. The aim is to enrol 20 per cent of this age group now and 40 per cent next year. Meanwhile, children’s centres shut services due to strapped finances and training opportunities dry up for practitioners whose local authority cannot support them.
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