Cascade to
Early years lead officers and school funding officers.
Summary
The consultation seeks views on:
- Defining eligibility for the new entitlement to free early education for disadvantaged two-year-olds, which will be underpinned by a duty on local authorities to secure places. Places are projected to rise nationally from 20,000 now to 140,000 from September 2013.
- Introducing quality criteria that providers must meet to be eligible to deliver free places.
- Increasing flexibility on when free entitlement hours can be taken.
- Streamlining statutory guidance to local authorities on free early education and securing sufficient childcare.
It is accompanied by:
- draft statutory guidance
- indicative numbers of eligible two-year-olds per local authority
It is available on the Department's website.
Action required and due date
Please respond to the consultation online by 31 January 2012.
