The number of disadvantaged two-year-olds registered for 15 hours of government-funded early education has dropped by nearly 33,000 from 148,800 in 2019 to 115,900 in 2024, according to government statistics.
Experts have blamed the 22% decline on a range of factors including falling birth rates - with the estimated population of all two-year-olds decreasing by 18% since 2015 – and outdated eligibility criteria for the scheme, which this year marks a decade in existence.
Several causes
Sector figures have also said static income thresholds have seen the number of disadvantaged parents that are eligible to register for the scheme decline.
This has meant that the proportion of parents eligible for the scheme has fallen from the 38% lowest income families in 2015 to the 27% now.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, 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
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
