Nursery places to be free for toddlers

Two-year olds in poor areas will be offered free nursery places
under a pilot scheme, the government has confirmed. Children aged
three and four are already entitled to a free part-time place.

The children’s minister Margaret Hodge said research had
shown the benefit of good quality early education.

“It supports children’s social and educational development
with disadvantaged children benefiting most significantly,”she
said.

A pilot project currently under development will extend
education and care to 6,000 two-year-olds in England.