"We welcome the announcement that the Government is looking to extend free entitlement of childcare to 2 year olds. Early years provision has a positive impact on social and language skills which can last for years and free provision for 3 and 4 year olds has had a very high take up rate - almost 98% - meaning almost all children are benefitting from it. This sort of provision is particularly important in helping children from deprived backgrounds to get a good start in life and in narrowing the opportunities gap between disadvantaged children and their peers.

"We need to learn from the experience of implementing the free offer for 3 and 4 year olds and make sure that clear guidance is available for providers and parents so that they understand what is on offer - and of course we need to ensure that there is enough funding available to make sure the offer is free at the point of use."

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4Children Press Office

Julie Watkins: 020 7522 6928 / 07917 870 641
julie.watkins@4Children.org.uk

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