News
Free places for disadvantaged two-year-olds
20 Oct 2010
The Government has announced 15 hours of free nursery provision for the 20% most disadvantaged two-year-olds. The provision is part of the £7bn pupil premium spending and will not be ring-fenced as it is one of the nine core grants given to Local Authorities. The Department for Education has not yet announced exact budget numbers but has said it will do so in the coming weeks.
The 15 hours of free nursery provision was piloted by the Labour government and they had hoped to extend the pilot to the 15% most disadvantaged. An evaluation of the pilot showed that the scheme had a positive impact on language ability and the relationship between parent and carer but did not have a significant positive impact on cognitive and social development.
Eligibility for the entitlement will be determined by the child’s eligibility for free school meals which raises questions about assessment of families who have children who are all below school age.
