News

Exclusive: Rising to the challenge for two-year-olds

Education and Childcare Minister Elizabeth Truss calls on providers to help deliver a high quality early education programme for two-year-olds

 

Today we are publishing next year’s local authority allocations for the early education programme for two-year-olds from low-income families. From September next year, 130,000 two-year-olds will be able to receive 15 hours a week of early education, rising to 260,000 two-year-olds the year after. Councils now know how much funding they have to deliver this vitally important programme.

It is important that funding for two-year-olds, as well as three- and four-year-olds, reaches the front line. All the evidence shows that it is the quality of staff that matters most in getting young children ready for school and closing the educational gap between children from rich and poor backgrounds. So providers must be given the resources they need to recruit and retain talented people and to improve the skills of their existing staff.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here