In total, 97 per cent of the three- and four-year-old population currently takes up some of the free early years entitlement, which is 12.5 hours a week at the moment. This compares with 98 per cent of the population in 2007.
However, the actual number of children taking up the free entitlement has increased. The reason the percentage has dropped is because of a growth in population, according to the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Children may also be counted twice if they take up early education at more than one nursery, childminder, pre-school or primary school.
In January this year, 92 per cent of the three-year-old population got some form of free early education. For four-year-olds the figure was 98 per cent.
The figures also showed four-year-olds were more likely to take up the full entitlement than three-year-olds.
By 2010 all three- and four-year-olds will be entitled to 15 hours of free early education a week.
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