Nearly all four-year-olds in free childcare scheme

All four-year-olds have been entitled to a free early education place since 1998, an offer that was extended to three-year-olds in April 2004.

Research conducted by the Department for Children, Schools and Families earlier this year shows that 98 per cent of all four-year-olds are accessing the free offer. Figures have risen since 2008 from 578,000 to 593,400, although the percentage has not changed.

The findings also show that 92 per cent of three-year-olds are accessing free early education, an increase of one per cent from 2008.

Places were spread across a variety of providers, with maintained nurseries and primary schools catering for 57 per cent of three- and four-year-olds, the private, voluntary and independent (PVI) sector serving 35 per cent and independent schools providing for three per cent.

"This continued popularity is why it makes sense to increase the number of free hours on offer to parents and their three- and four- year-old children from 12.5 hours to 15 hours, which will be delivered more flexibly, nationally from 2010," said newly-appointed children's minister Dawn Primarolo.

"We are pleased to see that free entitlement continues to be delivered across a diverse childcare market, giving parents and families real choices," she added.