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<p>We recognise that high quality childcare improves children’s long-term educational
outcomes and helps close the gap in attainment between the most disadvantaged children
and their peers. We want to enable all children, whatever their background and individual
needs, to access high quality early education. Investment has an important part to
play in achieving continued improvements in quality. We have committed over £1 billion
more per year by 2019-20 to fund the early years entitlements – this includes £300
million per year from 2017-18 for a significant increase to the rate paid for the
two, three and four year old entitlements.</p><p> </p><p>We know that high quality
childcare has the most significant impact on those from disadvantaged homes. Therefore
it is important that funding is targeted at those areas and children who need it most.
This is why we propose an additional needs factor in the early years national funding
formula, on which we are currently consulting. This will channel funding towards local
authorities with a higher relative proportion of children with additional needs.</p><p>
</p><p>Whilst we know funding plays a role in the quality of childcare, we also recognise
the importance of the early years workforce in improving quality and delivering better
outcomes for children. That is why we are committed to publishing an early years workforce
strategy. The Government currently delivers early years initial teacher training places
in England. We fund eligible graduates to undertake the training, and provide student
bursaries. Information about training routes is available on the Get into Teaching
website at: <a href="https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/</a></p>
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