DfES statistics issued last week show that there are now 1,130,000 children taking up places, compared with 1,110,000 last year.
This equates to virtually all four-year-olds and 96 per cent of three-year-olds.
Children's minister Beverley Hughes said, 'I'm delighted that so many parents are taking up this offer. As well as benefiting children, the free hours allow parents to sample childcare as a route back to work and training.'
Children are counted at each setting they attend, which can lead to double-counting if children are registered with more than one provider, so the percentage of children who benefit from some early education can add up to more than 100 per cent. A child-level Early Years Census now being piloted should lead to a more accurate figure on the take-up of early years education, as those who attend more than one setting will only be counted once.
Download Provision for children under five years of age in England: January 2007 by the local authority area at www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics.
Number of children taking up early education places (% of population )
3-year-olds 4-year-olds Private and voluntary providers 57 20 Independent schools 4 5 Nursery schools and nursery classes in primary schools* 37 18 Infant classes in primary schools* - 61 *Number of children benefiting from some free early education