Funding for 2 year olds

The government has announced the 15 local authorities that will share £4m funding to provide free early learning and childcare to the most disadvantaged two-year-olds

 

The announcement comes as the Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF), which aims to create a level playing field between the maintained and private and voluntary sectors, is rolled out across England.

 

Currently, all parents of three- and four-year-olds have an entitlement to 15 hours of free early education and childcare.

 

By 2013, ministers are planning to legislate to secure the commitment to offer the most disadvantaged two-year-olds 15 hours of free early education a week.

 

The 15 pilot areas are:

• Derbyshire
• Gloucestershire
• Hartlepool
• Hertfordshire
• Manchester & Tameside consortium
• Medway
• North Yorkshire
• Northamptonshire
• Rotherham
• Southampton
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Sunderland
• Sutton & Merton consortium
• Tower Hamlets
• Walsall & Wolverhampton consortium