Government statistics published this week show the vast majority of parents are taking up the full free entitlement but some families are not accessing any free education.
In January, the number of three- and four-year-olds benefiting from some free education was 1.2 million or 95 per cent, the same percentage as the previous year.
Responding to the figures, a Department for Education spokeswoman said: "It is encouraging to see that 86 per cent of children are already accessing this extended offer. Overall, take up of the free entitlement is high.
"However, there is still a minority of children who are not accessing free early education. They are among the most disadvantaged children in the country.
"That's why we are funding voluntary and community organisations over the next two years, and working through health visitors, to specifically target these disadvantaged families."
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