PARENTS are being encouraged to find out if their two year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare starting this month.
The number of eligible children will double with around 40 per cent or two years entitled to 15 free hours of free early education per week – up from 20 per cent last year.
Traditionally take up has been low but evidence suggests children from less advantaged backgrounds often start school 19 months behind their peers.
It also reveals that good quality childcare can reduce the gap and has a significant benefit in terms of a child’s development.
To find out whether you are eligible, log on to www.gov.uk/freechildcare.
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